Young Bermudians must look at the facts of history and be more positive in their outlook if the Island is to prosper in the future, a Senator has claimed.

Speaking during the motion to Adjourn, Government Sen. Calvin Smith -- often mimicking a young person complaining that nothing had changed since the heyday of segregation -- said he was concerned at "negative attitudes'' in the community.

But Sen. Smith was taunted by Opposition Senators who said the Progressive Labour Party had long encouraged the view that Bermuda had not changed, and would not be bailed out by the United Bermuda Party because there was still criticism.

Sen. Smith discussing a statistical booklet written about Bermuda in 1941, said he did not see any black people in its dozens of photographs.

"Then I walk down the street and someone comes up to you and says, `nothing's changed','' he said. "Why do they think nothing's changed? Obviously the social and political arena has changed since that time.'' Sen. Smith cited a study done in Canada that traced wealthy families, where, regardless of race, wealth stayed within the family.

"My suggestion is to look at the opportunity to get wealth in Bermuda, has that changed?'' he said. "In the evil of racism in Bermuda, that was because the best people were not getting the best positions.'' "What matters is that the opportunities have changed, that's the question,'' he added. "This attitude is very pervasive. How can we get them to see the opportunities available in the next Millennium.'' Sen. Smith added: "We have got to get away from this expensive language. Move away from these general comments and get specific with our criticisms. We have to emphasise excellence, not that someone owes you.'' But Opposition Sen. Maxwell Burgess struck back, saying the PLP -- even when it had been silent -- had encouraged the negativity.

"That speech might have been better served at Alaska Hall (PLP headquarters),'' Sen. Burgess said. "When you were in the Opposition you said things have got to change. You didn't stand up on November 6, 1998 and say things had changed.'' Saying the voting public had taken a "snapshot'' of how Bermuda was the day before last year's election, Sen. Burgess said Government must keep its promises.