NEW YOUTH MOVEMENT

Evening Star, Issue 21090, 30 April 1932, Page 3

NEW YOUTH MOVEMENT

FOUNDATION OF THE SCOTTISH WATCH DUNEDIN SCOTS INTERESTED Early this year tho Glasgow ‘ Daily Eecord ’ published particulars of the formation by Lieutenant-colonel M. B. H. Eitchic, D. 5.0., of tho Scottish Watch, its policy being “ Scotland and the Scottish people.” The youth of Scotland were exhorted to join the Watch, tho only vow members were asked to take being “ Scotland Yet.” The Watch was defined as non-political and non-sectarian, and in no way “ thirled ” to any party. It was not intended to compote with such organisations as the Boy Scouts or Girl Guides, but its motive was to fuse the interest of these organisations into the one common purpose —Scotland and the Scottish people. It is a far cry to Bonnie Scotland, but tho Scottish Society of Dunedin has taken a keen interest in the founding of the Scottish Watch, so much so that the secretary of the society has written to tho editor of the .‘ Daily Eecord ’ expressing tho advisability of obtaining the co-opcration of all Scots whether at Home or abroad. Following is the substance of the letter now on its way to the ‘ Daily Eecord ’ office to tell Scotland that there are Scots in the Edinburgh of the South ever-readv to do their little bit'by the laud of their birth:—“ 1 am in possession of a copy of your paper, dated February 20, 1932, and notice with pleasure that at last Scotland has realised the fact that the time has now arrived for the foundation of something in the nature of the Scottish Watch. To the founder, Lieutenant-colonel Eitchie, wo offer our congratulations; to you we offer thanks for your interest. “ In any genuine attempt to bring Scotland once again into its own, tho co-oporatiou of all Scots, no matter where they may be located, should be sought. It is just a wonder the amount of good that overseas brethren could responsibly perform. It would seem a pity that when Scots migrate to all intents and purposes they are lost to the nation from which they derived their birth and infant nurture. “ Of course, some persons will say that Scottish societies are an established fact in all parts of the world. This can readily be conceded. They are on the right : lines, but does the matter of a periodical dance, social, or concert, when wc rattle and prate about ‘ A Man’s a Man for a’ That,’ fill the bill? To the writer there has always been something missing, and the best solution that I can find is that Scotsmen should naturally demand Scottish-made goods where the product is obtainable at a reasonable price in the country of his or her adoption. I would ask you to consider what this would mean to Scottish industry, and as a means to this end the Scottish Watch movement might at least help in the direction of establishing schools of correspondence, describing the nature of the particular country and the manufactures. “ For instance, a hoy or girl, say, in Fifeshirc, might write to a hoy or girl in New Zealand, and this might be the text of tho respective letters;—(l) ‘ Fifeshiro is a county or shire situated on the east coast of Scotland, and its most important towns aro . My town (or village) is , and we make those lovely linen goods such as tabic covers, bed linen, and other such articles. At the present time our mills aro not fully employed, as people in other parts of tho world, and particularly Scotsmen, do not yet realise that it is their duty to help to keep us in employment. ’ (2) ‘ The town in which I reside in New Zealand is , and it is situated in the heart of the dairying industry. It is said of the butter coming from this part that it can hardly he equalled in any other part, of the world, and if you have not tried this or auy other New Zealand butter, would you give it a trial and help your own kith and kin?’ “ This would bo a genuine attempt to cement tho bonds. These suggestions are simply thrown out, and if they should catch the eye of Scottish Industries Ltd. we would recommend when appointing representatives to select Scots, and this society would be pleased to recommend suitable gentlemen for any positions that might be offering. “ The social side of the Scottish Society of Dunedin is well developed, and we are now on the quest for new ideas as to how to establish an. institution that will make its presence in the community felt.. I shall have the greatest of pleasure in putting the aims and objects of the Scottish Watch before my executive. Dunedin, like other cities in the world, is suffering from tho depression, and my suggestions are offered to those whom they might interest in the best of faith. With the kindest of greetings to all Scots.”— Signed by the secretary of the Scottish Society of Dunedin.