KILTED TROOPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 60, 8 September 1938, Page 10

KILTED TROOPS

SUGGESTED UNIT

MINISTER FAVOURABLE

QUESTION OF COST

When a deputation representing Scottish interests in Wellington waited on the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) today with a request that a Highland battalion should be formed in New Zealand, Mr. Jones expressed appreciation of the idea but said the extra cost of the Highland uniform could not be met by his Department at. the present time. Members of the deputation said the Scottish societies were prepared to assist in the initial cost and the matter is to be investigated by the Minister and the Scottish communities of the four main centres. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) introduced the deputation to the Minister and said the Scottish people of Wellington desired to interest . .the Minister in the formation of a kilted battalion for the Dominion's Territorial Forces. The kilts and pipes always had a strong appeal, and the deputation considered use should be made of the Scottish national spirit to bring the Territorial Forces up to strength. They realised that the unit suggested would have to be formed so that it would work in with the existing Territorial arrangements. The Wellington Battalion of the Wellington Regiment was now the City of Wellington's Own, arid members of that battalion felt that the formation of a kilted company in the city would not detract in any way frbm the high regard citizens had for the regiment. Mr. J. G. MacKenzie, who represented the Scottish community in Wellington, said that the deputation had the support of Scots in Auckland, Canterbury, and Dunedin, and read messages from Auckland and Dunedin asking to be associated with the request to v the Minister. DESIRE FOR UNIT. "We wish to bring before you the formation of a Scottish unit in New Zealand," y Mr. MacKenzie said. "We are of the opinion that a battalion with companies in the four centres would bring in a very fine class of recruit. We can assure you that there is a widespread desire on the part of the Scots in the Dominion, both Home and New Zealand-born, to see such a battalion formed. It would form a specific part of the defence force; a Scottish battalion with the kilt as its uniform. With its pipe band, the members of which must be Scottish born or of Scottish descent, it is our desire to see in the Dominion such a battalion as has been recently formed in Sydney, where we are advised it has been a great success. 'It may be asked, why a Scottish battalion and not an English, Welsh, or Irish unit?" Mr. MacKenzie said. ; "The reply to that is that we have our national garb and our national music; something quite separate and distinct which others have not. Furthermore, there are Scottish units in the defence forces of Australia, South Africa, and Canada which are second to none. The Highland regiments in the British Army—the. Black Watch, Gordons, Camerons, Seaforths, etc.—all have set a standard which stands high in the roll of fame. The Scottish element, to the second or third generations, is still strong in this country, and we are confident that a battalion such as is proposed will be a successful and a valuable part of the defence forces of this young country." Mr. MacKenzie produced a list to show that there were kilted units in . Canada (9), China (2), India (2), Straits Settlements, South Africa (2), Australia (5), Burma, and several cadet units in Canada. Mr. G. Mcßain, representing the colonial-born Scots, said the Scottish sentiment in New Zealand could be relied upon to bring a ready response to a call for Scottish volunteers. The financial side would have to be considered, but it might be possible to secure uniforms through the War Office. x '■. Mr. K. MacKenzie, who said he had served in the Glasgow Highlanders and other units, claimed that .the kilt would attract many recruits. He suggested each recruit would be willing to pay an entrance fee. Mr. J. G. MacKenzie said an entrance fee of £2 2s had been suggested. MINISTER'S REPLY. The Minister thanked the deputation lor their offer of co-operation. "You have a very strong case," he said, "but my position in this is the.question of cost. I understand the cost of a High- ( land uniform is about £10. I would prefer that the uniform should be made in New Zealand to give employment to our own manufacturers. It is the cost we are concerned about. Some time ago representations were made to me in Dunedin by the Scots there and I suggested we would pay towards the cost the- cost of the blue uniform if they would find the.rest. They could not see their way to do that, but if the Wellington Scots could give assistance in that direction we would agree to.the unit being formed and attached to the other units." The Minister added that the returned soldiers who had visited Australia last April had declared that the Scottish troops were the finest sight in the parade on Anzac Day. The Defence Department had a large expenditure on the Forces generally, and at the present time he could not recommend additional expenditure on uniforms. If the Scots could meet the position they. could work together. "That is putting something on you, and you may not -be able to do it," he said. "If you can get an entrance fee—that would be something new —we would get the right type of recruits." Mr." J. G. MacKenzie said the Australian system cost the recruits about £4 each. • The Minister said he would be glad to go into the position and would see ; if it would be possible to grant more than the cost of the blue uniform, but he could not agree to meet the full cost. Mr. Hislop suggested an entrance fee of £3 and a subsidy of £5. Would recruits be prepared to pay such an entrance fee? the Minister asked. Major-General J. E. Duigan, C.8., D.5.0., said in, Australia the entrance fee was deducted from the Territorial pay over a period. It was agreed that both sides should go into the question of finance. To the ranges at Bisley, to shoot for 'the last 10Q places in the King's Prize competition, there recently marched 300 people, of whom 299 were mfi and one a woman, states an exchange. The latter was Miss Florence Ellen Fergusson, of Kilcara, New South Wales, who was in England on.holiday for the first time. She went from Australia with her brother, a competitor, and then decided to enter, the contest herself. She won a newspaper cup event about a week prior to the Bisley competition by scoring 49 out of a possible 50.