members in his campaign against Bermuda's national song, he said yesterday.

His claim came during a Senate discussion on the Constitution's 25th anniversary, which earned members a warning from President Sen. the Hon.

Albert Jackson against childish "bickering''.

Sen. Woolridge says Government is using the song as a substitute for the true national anthem Bermuda will have when it is independent.

He and his wife sat down when the song was sung at Tuesday's Constitution commemorative service.

"This wonderful event was prostituted by the inclusion of this song,'' he said.

The song had not come out of the struggle towards a Constitution and had been "force-fed'' to Bermudians.

Government were trying to hoodwink the public. "They continue to want the trappings of independence and that which makes them look like they are absolutely in charge of their affairs and destiny when they are not.

"I have no problem, as a loyal subject of Her Majesty the Queen and a British Dependent Territory citizen, whatever that may be, with standing for "God Save the Queen'' because it is our national anthem.

"But Government should not say we're something we're not.

"I have senior members of the Cabinet saying to me: `We support you and agree with what you're saying'. I have said to them: `Join with me and offer leadership'.'' Sen. the Hon. Norma Astwood (Ind) said the Constitution celebrations marked a crossroads in Bermuda's political and social history. She hoped today's social needs would be met before the 50th anniversary.

The growth and development of women was essential, and she looked forward to more equality for black people and more racial interaction. A large number of men had also not been given the opportunity to develop their usefulness to the community.

Sen. Wendell Hollis (UBP) criticised Sen. Woolridge. "If one is proud of one's Country one can enjoy songs about one's Country,'' he said. Bermudians should concentrate on what unites them, he added.

Opposition Senate leader Sen. Alex Scott said benefits from improved tourism should go to help Bermudians deal with the recession, which he was not convinced was over.

But there were increasing complaints from hotel workers that Bermudians were not being protected.

A non-Bermudian maitre d' in one hotel was continuing to work "beyond the expiry date of his post'' and 10 Bermudian applicants had been rejected.

Sen. Scott said the same hotel also turned down 10 Bermudians for another post, saying it was a live-in position. But the person in the post had reportedly not spent a single night in staff quarters.

At another hotel, an assistant maitre d' was continuing in his post despite six Bermudians applying. Lawyers had been retained by the hotel in an effort to keep the employee on the Island, he said.

Sen. Scott also complained of housing allowance being provided to non-Bermudian staff and not locals.

Referring to recent efforts by local entertainers to get more work, he said one college student had been asked if he knew 250 songs. "I don't know if there are 250 songs out there,'' Sen. Scott said.

Fishermen were warning that some hotels claim to offer Bermudian fish but don't have it. Sonesta Beach and Cambridge Beaches had the real thing, but others didn't.

Restaurants and hotels should be required to name the source of their fish so it could be verified, he added.

Sen. the Hon. Maxwell Burgess said the recession was over, but as in the aftermath of Hurricane Emily, damage caused was still there.

He pledged to look into any claims that Immigration was not protecting locals.

"It is our policy to ensure that Bermudians come first,'' he said. Government Senate Leader Sen. the Hon. Mike Winfield condemned Sen.

Woolridge as "churlish'' and "childish'' for sitting during the national song. Such an act was insulting, he said.

He said Sen. Woolridge was hiding behind the issue of a song when he should be talking honestly about independence.

Singing the song expressed pride in Bermuda but made no statement on national status, he said. Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade stood for it, he noted.

He questioned the PLP's credibility on finance and economics, saying that in 1989 the UBP made a statement on the approach of the recession while the PLP saw no sign of it.

He said Sen. Scott's claims that Immigration was not protecting Bermudians were unsubstantiated to date. Action would be taken on any abuses.

Sen. Jerome Dill (UBP) condemned Sen. Ira Phillip (PLP) for saying the Opposition noted the 25th year of the Constitution but didn't celebrate it.

The Constitution had removed racist property qualifications for voting and given the vote to all, he said.

Sen. Phillip said it was easy for some Government senators to say they celebrated the Constitution because it had been more advantageous "to the establishment that they represent''.

"We should have a Constitution that identifies the differences between the people who make up this community and at the same time provides protection for each and every one of us.'' He looked forward to a united independent nation.

Sen. the Hon. Pam Gordon said Bermuda was ahead of Great Britain, which did not have a written constitution.

SEN. TREVOR WOOLRIDGE -- Said he and his wife sat down when the song, "Hail to Bermuda'', was sung at Tuesday's Constitution commemorative service.