well have a "new relationship'' with Britain after Hong Kong reverts to China in 1997. This newspaper has been saying the same thing for a number of years now.

Once Hong Kong is gone, the number of residents without the right to repatriation in the remaining colonies will not be significant to Britain and we think major accommodations will be made for the remaining small territories. Before Bermuda makes a hasty decision on Independence we should remember that a negotiated special relationship with Britain could well give Bermuda the best of both worlds.

It seems strange to us that there is a sudden push for Independence because the bases are closing. Yes, the closures create problems for Bermuda but it would seem to us that a time of trouble is not the best time to be making a major decision on Independence. The people of Bermuda have chosen to remain as they are for a very long time and there has been very little push from the public for Independence. Why would the people want to be talked into making this major decision in a hurry? Despite difficult and unsolved problems created by base closures, senior politicians in both political parties seem to be pushing for Independence now.

Some of that push comes from selfish motives but much of it springs from an understanding that Bermuda should join the changing world on its own terms and has to take care not to be left behind while others get an advantage. There is real fear in senior quarters of both Government and the private sector that if Bermuda does not go Independent and enter into trade agreements like NAFTA it will be left behind. The reverse of that fear is that if it does go Independent, it will have to seek a large power as a friend and may be worse off than it is with a benevolent Britain. That is not to indicate a preference for Britain, but it is to say that Bermuda needs a big and kindly concerned friend. Right now the world is in chaos and alliances are constantly shifting and that seems a dangerous time for a tiny country, no matter how rich, to decide to rush off alone.

Traditionally Bermuda has protected itself by restrictions which guard its economy and its institutions. There are many instances of such protection from the 60-40 ownership rule for local businesses to protection of the sale of housing to non-Bermudians. Bermuda has to be very careful that it does not blunder into international agreements that will mandate the absence of the very protection we have used so well for so long. We must wonder if "free trade'' could result in a wide open, vulnerable and very desirable Bermuda being gobbled up by rich outside interests. Just imagine what could happen if outside interests took over our monopoly utilities and did as they pleased with the prices.

There is another major factor. This is a stable country which is well run and successful. Because we are stable and successful, we are able to attract good international business, the cream, not the dregs. A major consideration in that business being here is our stability. We must be careful that in debating Independence and making whatever decision we are being pushed towards, we do not drive away our success by giving the impression that we are unstable or headed for instability. Those companies that are now here may not leave but we must remember those who are considering a move to Bermuda and may be put off by our actions.

Bermudians have to consider why they want Independence. They must separate the practical from the emotional. Many small countries have pushed toward Independence at a time when they were not in good shape and they felt that their situation could only get better. Bermuda is different. Being a colony has not been bad for Bermuda. This is the best and the best-off of the islands. This is a rich country which is the envy of much of the world. We must ask ourselves why we are talking of risking that success unless we are certain we will be even better off once Independent.