yesterday he felt Government's push towards Independence was unfair on the country.

Mr. J.C. (Kit) Astwood questioned the wisdom of going independent when the world was facing "a new economic order''.

He had just returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Mr. Astwood said he was "appalled'' Government seemed to be taking a "simplistic, for or against'' approach to the complex question.

And he was troubled the Premier was unlikely to invite the Opposition to take part in a Commission of Inquiry on Independence.

"How on earth can we consider the issue unless the ruling party is prepared to go in with a bi-partisan approach, involving all three political parties and all factions of Bermuda?,'' he asked.

The former Sandys North MP said "a totally impartial'' Royal Commission would be a better alternative than a commission of inquiry.

There were too many questions to be answered in too short a period.

The most important questions were: "Will Independence be for the betterment of the people? And by going independent will we be provided with further economic opportunities? Will the jobs of the people be secured and the standards of living kept up? "To say are you for or against Independence is an unfair question. The Government Ministers are being unfair. It isn't just a question of one or the other.'' Mr. Astwood said it was clear at the forum that the rest of the world was looking at ways of joining with other countries.

"It was fascinating how every world leader who spoke noted how dependent on one another countries are today,'' he said. "You had countries who had fought fierce battles to be independent and were now all of a sudden realising that for economic growth, job security and further economic opportunity, they must link together and be part of a bigger whole.''