No need for concern

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I FAIL to understand the purpose of Professor Rex Nettleford's letter entitled: "Playing of 'God Save The Queen' not a decision of UWI" (The Gleaner, 14th November). It was clearly obvious to me, as it was to all who attended the concert, that the event was presented by The Natural History Society of Jamaica and The St. Andrew Flower Arrangement and Garden Club and not by the university.

The University Chapel was presumably hired at some cost by the organisers, therefore a missive from the vice chancellor dissociating the institution from "an impropriety which took place at the concert" is entirely fatuous.

The Governor-General was not in attendance and protocol does not require the playing of the National Anthem unless he is. The fact that Orrett Rhoden entertained the audience with a rather unorthodox rendition of "God Save The Queen" was, I am sure, purely idiosyncratic. I was highly amused, as were many in the audience, and the negative response from a sullen few was lamentably prosaic.

I am, etc.,

ALLAN BENNETT-JONES

Kingston 8

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