future generations end up paying for Independence for years to come.

That was the opinion of businesswoman Mrs. Audrey DeSilva at a forum entitled "The Position Papers -- A Woman's View'' hosted by the Business and Professional Women's Association.

Owner of Shaper's Beauty Salon and former UBP Devonshire North candidate Mrs.

DeSilva claimed she endorsed some of the points from both the United Bermuda Party and Progressive Labour Party also represented at the forum.

But as a mother and business person, Mrs. DeSilva said she was for Independence "but not now''. Bermuda, she claimed, was not yet ready to take that step.

The Island's social ills had to be addressed first and Bermuda's youth taught to make the decision when the time came.

"Some say they want to leave our children a legacy. But will it be a legacy or a millstone around their neck?'' she asked. "I do not feel we have that right ... We owe our children more.'' Also invited to speak at the forum, Youth and Sports Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon urged Bermudians to exercise their democratic rights by voting in the referendum.

She added that the issue of Independence should not be as divisive as it was.

"We are all Bermudians. All it says is that there are people in this community with differing views.'' Bermuda, unlike other Caribbean countries that had gone Independent, had experienced almost 30 years of self-government and Independence was unlikely to make Bermudians corrupt overnight.

"I cannot see that the citizens of this country will suddenly wake up and be corrupt,'' she said. "We are all in this together and have to live in this country together.'' Speaking on behalf of PLP MP Mrs. Lois Browne-Evans was 1993 PLP Paget East candidate Mr. Rolfe Commissiong.

For his part, Mr. Commissiong claimed the Progressive Labour Party was not for Independence "at any cost''.

Independence, he claimed, was not something the PLP could endorse now.

"These are things we need to look at. As we go into the 21st Century we need to achieve Independence but we need to go about it the right way.'' Instead, Bermudians should exercise their right to abstain from the referendum -- also a democratic right.

"Boycotts are a legitimate option,'' he said.

He added that Bermudians could not trust a Government that was divided over the issue.

"Why should we trust the UBP when we know it is divided?'' he asked.