Progressive Labour Party members have attempted to peddle influence on the coat-tails of the 1998 General Election victory, Premier Jennifer Smith said last night.

And she admitted that the new Government had bitten off more than it could chew in planning for its first year in power.

Ms Smith said: "This change in our fortunes has not been without teething troubles.

"There have been members who -- not understanding that, by law, Ministers and in fact MPs, have nothing to do with the hiring, or firing, of Government employees -- would ask us to intercede in their attempts at employment.

"There have been business members and supporters who -- not understanding that contracts with Government must be honoured by Government, even though our Government has a policy to review contracts when they come up for renewal and to put contracts out to tender -- would ask us to see that they got such and such a contract.

"There have been members who have used, abused or misrepresented their position with the party in an effort to trade on the party's success.'' Earlier, she said: "I have to admit that we initially thought that building a new foundation, albeit on somewhat shaky ground, was not an unrealistic goal for the first year.

"Instead, once we were able to get into the mechanics and operation of Government, we found that constructing the new Bermuda would require a total excavation before we could lay a new foundation.

"We have learned that you can't put in a brand new infrastructure without causing some disruption.'' But she laid much of the blame for the lack of progress on previous UBP Governments.

She added: "Dealing with change within Government has occupied almost as much of our time as working on changes in policies and programmes.

"I must state that Bermuda has a talented, honest and enthusiastic Civil Service, but, as noted in a recently-commissioned report, their initiative was stifled and their ability to respond quickly bound by outdated procedures and practices.'' But she insisted: "This is the last party conference for this century and as we look back before entering the new millennium. we are impressed with how far we have come.'' Ms Smith was speaking at the start of the three-day annual party conference at the PLP's Alaska Hall HQ.

She listed a 14-point wishlist for the first Parliamentary term of office -- which included key issues like management of the public purse, protection of the vulnerable and equal opportunity. And Ms Smith insisted: "In our first year of Government, we have made progress in all of these areas.

"We've taken the first steps in education, in tackling chronic unemployment, in rebuilding Bermuda's tourism, tackling traffic problems and putting into place a third economic arena with e-commerce. But we must continue to work.'' Ms Smith praised party members for their work on the election campaign.

But she added: "We need you to help raise funds to pay off the General Election campaign debt. We need you to ensure that this building is finally ours in truth, as well as in name, by working to pay off the mortgage.'' And she told delegates: "Over the next few nights, we will talk in detail about the next steps and I trust that at the end of the conference we will be bound by a determination to build on the success of this party, this Government, this Country.'' PLP party conference The conference will break up for the reconvening of Parliament and the Throne Speech on Friday -- understood to be the first time it has been held outside, on the lawns of Cabinet Office instead of in the Senate Chamber.

A party spokesman last night said that the first PLP Throne Speech meant many could not get inside to hear the details -- and that holding it outside meant greater public access.

The PLP conference season will end with a dinner on Saturday night, to be addressed by Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who will also take time to meet Jamaicans living and working on the Island.

Jennifer Smith