KILTS AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 16, 20 January 1939, Page 11

KILTS AGAIN.

SCOTTISH REGIMENT. TO BE FORMED IN N.Z. MINISTER'S ANNOUNCEMENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Minister of Defence, the Hon. P. Jones, announced to-day that the Government lias approved the formation of a New Zealand Scottish regiment, thus bringing the kilt back among New Zealand trgops for the first time since the various Highland units were disbanded 011 the disappearance of the volunteer organisation in 1910. "Not only the Scottish community but also everyone who lias the welfare and efficiency of the Territorial Force at heart, he felt sure, wfluld welcome the revival, for the New Zealand Scottish regiment would add 500 first-class infantry to the present strength. The new unit, he continued, would be organised on a basis of four companies, each of gix officers and 119 men. The companies would be formed in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. "The proposal has the unanimous and wholehearted support of Scottish societies i?i other than the centres concerned. and these bodies have undertaken not only to assist with the financing but also ilie actual recruiting. The uniforms costa great deal more thin the present outfit issued to territorials, and the Scottish (Societies have agreed to raise funds to the value of ,tl per volunteer as a contribution towards the additional outlay. Scots wishing to join will contribute an entrance fee of .€1 and will be required to show they are of Scottish descent, and also satisfy the recruiting committee they are of the right type required bv the unit. The remainder of the considerable cost involved in purchasing- uniforms and accessories will be borne by the Government," said the Minister. Allied to Black Watch. Mr. .Tones also announced that the Black Watch Royal Highland Hegunent lias agreed to the New Zealand Scottish being allied to them, and wearing the Black Watch tartan. The men will have the distinction of wearing a non-elan tartan, which ie> particularly appropriate under Xew Zealand conditions, where, volunteers will be drawn from every clan. The chairman of the Wellington Association of Scot Societies, Mr. J. G. McKenzie. said to-day that he felt that the formation of a Scottish regiment would stimulate recruiting in New Zealand to bring forth a good tvjie of recruit, who perhaps would not volunteer otherwise. It was well known, he said, that in the old volunteer days, when there were Highland units, they were always well filled. The kilt and bagpipes stimulated national instincts in Scottish youth.