Fear that Independence proponents will "play the race card'' is behind the reluctance of at least one Government MP to support a referendum planned for this summer.

United Bermuda Party backbencher Mr. Trevor Moniz said he is worried that the lead-up to a referendum could be "highly emotionally charged.'' "There's a danger that people will attempt to play what we call in politics, the race card,'' Mr. Moniz told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"They will attempt to equate Independence with emancipation. They will attempt to equate Independence with the end of apartheid in South Africa.'' While he saw "no connection'' among any of those issues, Mr. Moniz said he was worried about "demagogues,'' both inside and out of his own party and the Opposition Progressive Labour Party.

The Smith's South MP made his comments when asked the question posed by many in Bermuda: Why not support the referendum, give Bermudians their say, end the uncertainty, and resolve the issue once and for all? Mr. Moniz said that view was often put forward by those who felt most Bermudians would vote against Independence, but he was not so "sanguine.'' If the referendum is a foregone conclusion, then why have one? He did not feel there was any indication the people of Bermuda wanted a referendum on the issue.

If the vote goes ahead, "I can't prognosticate that it will be soundly defeated,'' he said. "I have a fear that the process leading up to the referendum may become highly emotionally charged.'' And he felt several members of Cabinet, including the Premier, "have a plan to try to persuade people to vote for Independence.'' Aside from a pro-Independence campaign by Cabinet Ministers, Mr. Moniz said he was worried about "hatemongers'' outside Government taking advantage of the issue.

Even if Independence was to "fail miserably'' in a referendum, as he expected, Mr. Moniz was worried that "rabble rousers'' and "trouble makers'' in society would "try to take advantage of a referendum to stir up people emotionally.

"There are a small number of people out there who are bitter and angry and would be easily manipulated by hatemongers,'' he said. "It only takes a few people like that to cause problems for everybody.'' While he would not say how he would vote on the referendum bill, Mr. Moniz promised to be in the House of Assembly when the vote was taken. While he kept an open mind, right now "I have great difficulty supporting it,'' he said.

Government MPs the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto and Dr. David Dyer have also not pledged to support the bill, meaning it could face defeat in the House.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier the Hon. Irving Pearman said yesterday that the planned debate on the Green Paper on Independence had been moved back one week, to March 17, with debate on the Independence Referendum Bill 1995 set for March 24.

One day might not be enough to debate the discussion paper on Independence called a Green Paper, and a special sitting might have to be scheduled between March 17 and 24, Mr. Pearman said.

Like many Cabinet Ministers, Mr. Pearman said the facts and arguments would be placed before the Bermudian people, who would then make up their own minds on Independence.

In Devonshire South, Government Whip Mr. John Barritt and his running mate the Hon. David Saul have sent a questionnaire to constituents, seeking their views on the Green Paper and Independence.

The sheet has four questions, and provides space for extra comments. It asks whether constituents have read the Green Paper, whether they feel sufficiently informed to make a decision on Independence, whether they had decided how they would vote on Independence, and whether the issue should be decided by a referendum this summer.

Mr. Trevor Moniz (UBP)