author Dr. Eva Hodgson in a lecture on Tuesday sponsored by the Progressive Labour Party's referendum committee.

The PLP, which is calling on supporters to boycott the Independence referendum planned for this summer, invited Dr. Hodgson to speak at Centennial Hall.

At a news conference at PLP headquarters yesterday, Dr. Hodgson said she would be providing "an academic and rational approach to an emotional issue''.

Dr. Hodgson said her talk would be divided into three parts, two of them responding directly to the anti-Independence views of Bermuda historian Mrs.

Joyce Hall.

She would say why she felt Mrs. Hall was right about some things and why she felt Mrs. Hall was wrong about others, Dr. Hodgson said. Thirdly, she would offer a challenge to those who "want Independence so bad they can taste it''.

The lecture would also have appeal to those interested in African history, she said.

Dr. Hodgson, who appeared at the news conference with Opposition MPs Mr.

Eugene Cox and Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams, took the opportunity to reply to 1993 PLP candidate Mr. Philip Perinchief, who in The Royal Gazette on Wednesday described the party's boycott call as "retrograde'' and "selfishly motivated''.

While Dr. Hodgson respected Mr. Perinchief, she said she saw his comments about Independence "freedom fighters'' as irrelevant.

"Usually, that is used in a context where there is bloody opposition to your struggle for freedom,'' she said. "It's a bit nonsensical in this context.

"If we woke up tomorrow and said we want Independence, (Britain) would give it to us.'' As a candidate in the last general election, Mr. Cox said Mr.

Perinchief had a right to attend caucus meetings. He questioned the lawyer's decision "to go elsewhere to ventilate his views''.

Both Mr. Cox and Mr. Williams said talk of divisions in the PLP over the referendum was "errant nonsense''.

"The PLP is together 100 percent and we support our leader Mr. (Frederick) Wade 100 percent,'' Mr. Williams said.

Mr. Wade was off the Island yesterday and did not attend the news conference.

Dr. Eva Hodgson