THE GARB OF OLD GAUL

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1134, 23 May 1911, Page 2

THE GARB OF OLD GAUL

SCOTS AND THE KILT. ."MR. FOWLDS SPARRING FOR WIND." A DEPUTATION SET UP. The kill, as military dress, was in evidence again last night. A meeting of tho committed of tlie Kilt Dcfencc League was held. Mr. R. Fletcher presided during the first portion of the meeting, and, later, owing to Mr. Fletcher's leaving, Mr. L. M'Kenzie took the chair.

Mr. Shaw stated that he had communicated with the whole of tho Caledonian Societies, and the late Highland Corps of the Dominion, and had received a number of replie:- There had been a proposal (hat an.entertainment should be held in the Opera J Louse l'or tho purpose of raising funds for uniforming n regiment or part of a regiment to represent the North Island, but the idea had fallen through. Mr. James M'-N'aught, Wanganui, wrote stating that lie would do everything within reason for tho retention of the kilt. He felt quite sure that as the territorial scheme was entirely the people's, the General .Commanding and the governing authorities would assist by all means to creato a spirit, of true co-operation in the interest of the Dominion, its defence, and its people. He admired the Wellingtonians' unbounded enthusiasm and bold front. ' "I am (tho writer continued) afraid misleading, unreliable, and unofficial information has been circulated among somo of your men . . • i u ['S" ing from the published statement ot the Acting-Minister for Defenec on this important subject." If just cause arose, he would heartily co-operate to stnvo lor the kilt. "Meanwhile (he aaded) leave well alone, and trust your Commandant and those in authority." The Mangatoki Athletic Society sent an assurance that its support could be counted on. Svmpathv and co-operation. was also offered by ths Scottish Society ot Now Zealand (Christchurch). The Caledonian Society of Southland reported that a resolution of sympathy had been unanimously carried. They trusted that tho representations to the Minister *or JJefcnce would be crowned with success. Dr. R. 11. Cameron expressed ajiopc that the kilts would la retained. Messrs. A. E. Herdmau, M.P., and T. M. W llford, M.P., replied that they were willing to join in a deputation to the Minister as requested. In the course of the ensuing discussion Mr. M'Millan said that, if a Highland battalion were formed, it would be necessary to take men up to lis years. I hey did not want boys in the kilts. Referring to the reply of the Minister (published in the press), Mr. Dobson stated that Mr. Fowlds was "sparring for wind." The deputation wanted a straightout declaration. Tho Scotch element at all events was entirely in their favour. That war. clear from the letters received. Tho Highlanders would have tho kilts. The General could fix the details. Mr. M'Millan said that a regiment of Highlanders could not bo got in Wellington. Tho corps had been down to a membership of 30. and lie felt sure 120 could not b? got. no thought that some other scheme than the formation of a Highland Brigade should bo evolved, to which Mr. Dobson replied-that there wore 30,000 men- to choose from. Mr. Mcldrum expressed the opinion that it was the kilt' which had in the past induced the flower o£ tho Scots to Mr. Fletcher remarked that this was not tho first time that a similar thine had been tried—in Canada and other placcs—but the kills had survived. Mr. G. P. M'Lcan said that Lieut.-Col. Duthie had given those who had waited on him a "very bad reception." They, had got a "really dramatic recital." and, in turn, they had given one. "His (Col. Dufhie's) idea was that tho kilt must go, that in whatever we did they wcro simply running their heads against a brick "wall; He thought that Col. Duthie had.beon right jOut. of. order in, treating theni, as private' citizens, that way, 'and. that his. conduct should be brought to notice.'

;Mr. Koid stated that Liont.-Col. Duthie had informed himself ami Mr. Shaw that what the Minister had said was only liluff; that the kilt had to go; that it was .coming near election time, and what had appeared in the newspapers as froni_ the Minister had only been written to tickle the readers' ears. "From what I can make out," continned Mr. Keid, "Mr. Fowlds is only binfliupr till the announcement goes forth that the khaki uniforms have arrived."

Mr. M'Kew.ie said that the Government,, if tlwy wished to lmvo a good fighting force, must look to the senlimental side. It was for sentimental reasons that men laid down their lives. If sentiment were eliminated the ardour of the Scot, would be dampod.

It was decided that tlio following deputation should wait on the Minister to urge him to order the retention of the kilt Messrs. A. Herdman, If.P., T. M. Wilford, M.P., D. Gillies, R. Fletcher, J. G. W. Aitken, W. Macintosh, L. M'Kenzie, and Dr. Cameron.