Independence debate on the welfare of the Country. It is clear that the introduction of Independence as a national issue at this time has created a kind of "national nervousness'' and political uncertainty.

Public uncertainty always impacts on the way Bermuda does its business, both internally and externally. Internally it would seem that nervousness will encourage Bermudians to hold on to their cash and to avoid major purchases of such things as property, cars and household appliances. We think it will also encourage people to invest overseas. Externally it can make those planning to do business in Bermuda think twice.

What concerns us today is that so much time and energy may be spent on the Independence debate and on any problems arising from the debate that Bermuda may lose sight of what the people want done internally.

We think that the people of this rich country want their Government to begin providing some of the benefits which normally accrue to the people as a result of a successful economy. Bermudians want the solid benefits that only Governments can provide.

We think Bermudians want to be guaranteed that their children will receive a good and useful education at home. Clearly many Bermudians benefit from an academic education but we use the word "useful'' because we think many Bermudians want their children to receive the kind of practical education which will get them a solid and lucrative job. Not every person is an academic scholar and Bermuda needs good practical plumbers, carpenters and electricians. It is not producing them because Government unwisely disbanded the Bermuda Technical Institute which so many graduates praise today.

We think that there are some Bermudians who "drop out'' because their schooling has offered them an "education'' but has not equipped them to do a job. That situation is not unique to Bermuda but has been the problem with strict adherence to academic educations everywhere. In Bermuda, young people who can teach themselves to whip apart a moped in minutes can be trained to be mechanics.

It certainly seems that Bermudians want Bermuda to get on with the "war on drugs''. The people constantly indicate that concern about drugs is high on their list. We think there is a reluctance on the part of both political parties to get down to basics on drugs. The PLP is reluctant to turn the Government initiative into a national initiative. The Government gives lip service to a "war on drugs'' but moves so slowly on both organisation and funding that we have to wonder, just as the public wonders, why there is not more action.

Then there are more recent concerns which Bermudians want dealt with. The departure of the United States military and the attendant loss of that income and the expenditure required for Bermuda to run Kindley Field are major concerns and major uncertainties. The whole question of the return of military lands is being dealt with and committees are being formed but that does not mean Bermudians are not worried.

And yet Bermuda is distracted by Independence, an issue which was not mentioned during last October's General Election and which had not emerged as a major public concern. It seems to us that Bermuda has embarked on a fanciful agenda which may keep us very busy at a time when we need to get down to some basic housekeeping.