A KILTIE REGIMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2579, 29 September 1915, Page 16

A KILTIE REGIMENT

URGED, BY SCOTSMEN ■ V , IN THE WAY A 'deputation , representing - Scottish societies and '' Scotsmen all over New Zealand, waited 011 the. Minister of Dcfen'co (the Hon, J. Allen) yesterday, to urge, that a Scottish regiment, with a "kiltie" uniform, should be raised in New Zealand, under the control of the Defence Department. The .Hon. Sir Walter Buchanan, Mr. G. K. Sykes, M.l\ (Masterton), Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby, M.l\ (Wairarapa) and about fifteen members of Scottish societies composed the deputation. ■ - Sir Waltor Buchanan, in introducing the deputation, said that tho members were. representative of tho whole of the Dominion, aiid' tliey desired tho Department to take the necessary steps to inaugurate a Scottish regiment. It could well bo understood the use they would be ill getting'men and still more men. ,With fewexception's, all t'ho Highland societies throughout Js'ew Zealand were in favour of tho proposal. Those which - were against it only, opposed it on the ground that so many ef their members ha.d already gono that they might have difficulty in keeping up reinforcements. Tho deputation had held a meeting that morning and were strongly in favour "of the idea; They were satisfied tlia.t ouoiigh men would be forthcoming for the.reinforcements. Further, .emulation would bo festered in tho English and Irish sections of tho population, and tho recruiting. ,would be largely increased. It would be of immense advantage to encourage Scotsmen to enlist, if they had' a, distinctive .regiment • and uniform.-... ■ .

Mr. A.' Crawford, representing the local Scotsmen, said that all tho local men were delighted with the idea, and would in . every way help to supply re-; emits'for" a Highland .Kogiment. They wanted the Government to support them, and to help raise a Highland regiment in kliaki, similar to tho London Scottisli Regiment. They asked that they might have a worthy Scotsroan at tho head of the regiment, and if tliat were done there would bo groat support throughout the country. Mr. Hugh Morrison, Wairarapa, said that it was a patriotic sentiment that was going to .see our Empire through, and 110 section of the community had more' patriotic sentiment than the Scotsmen. Nothing. appealed to thdm more than tho kilts and the pipes. There were numerous young Scotsmen leaving Now Zealand to join the "kiltie" regiments at Home, aiid if wo had-such a regiment hero those men would be saved for-New Zealand.

Mr. Martin, Southland, said that recruiting would ho stimulated generally if they had a Highland regiment. Such a regiment might bo formed with a strength of 1000 men. ' ' In reply, Mr. Allen said that ho was deeply grateful for the gejierons offer oil beliuif 0f... the Scotch residents in Now Zealand, and he would bo only too pleased if ho could say right away tliat lie could accept the olfer. There were difficulties in the way. A battalion 'Would consist of 1100 men, and reinforcements would como to 1500 or 1600 in the year. Ho could not accept tho offer unless ho had the positive assurance that the reinforcom.onts could be kept up. Tho'second difficulty was that if 'he .accepted 'a regiment from the Scottish community that precedent would compel him to accept regiments from all over llie country. Tho whole essence of our scheme had been to try and make our contingents a national forco, with no distinctions at all. He promised to consult tho Commandant to get" 'liia views on tho,,, matter; Whatever might 'happen, tho.'officerinii and training must ho a matter for. tho Defence Department. He did not know that his, answer was altogether satisfactory, but if he could not "accept the offer in its 1 entirety he wrfnted to assure them that lie appreciated it. After all, he .hoped that every 'young man, if 'he could not go .in a distinctive regimeat, would join tlio ordinary forces. Sir Walter Buchanan said that in the matter of equipment they were satisfied that Scottish sympathy would ensure. that the Govornment was greatly assisted in this direction. .They thanked the Minister for his consideration of the request. ; <