N.Z. SCOTTISH REGIMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 January 1939, Page 7

N.Z. SCOTTISH REGIMENT

APPROVED BY GOVT.

BLACK WATCH ALLIANCE [PER PBESS ASSOCIATION.] ■WELLINGTON, January 19. The Defence Minister (Mr. Jones) announced, to-day, that the Government has approved the formation of a. New Zealand Scottish regiment, thus bringing the kilt back among New Zealand troops for the first time since the various Highland units were disbanded, on the disappearance of volunteer organisation in 1910. Not only the Scottish community, but also everyone who has the welfare and efficiency of the territorial force at heart, he felt sure, would welcome the revival, for the New Zealand Scottish would add 500 first class infantry to the present strength. The new. unit would be organised on the basis of four companies, each with six officers and 119 men. Companies will be formed at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The proposal has the unanimous and wholehearted support of the Scottish societies in the four centres concerned, and these bodies have undertaken not only to assist with the financing, but also the actual recruiting. The uniforms cost a great deal more than the present outfit issued, to Territorials, and the Scottish societies have agreed to raise funds to the value of £1 per volunteer, as a contribution towards the additional outlay. Scots wishing to join will contribute an entrance "fee of £l, and will be required to show they are of Scottish descent, and satisfy the recruiting committee they are the right type required by the unit. The remainder of the considerable cost involved in purchasing uniforms and accessories will be borne by the Government. Mr. Jones announces that the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment has agreed to the New Zealand Scottish being allied to them, and wearing the Black Watch tartan. They will have distinction of wearing a non-clan tartan, which is particularly appropriate under New Zealand conditions, where volunteers will be drawn from every The chairman of the Wellington .Association of Scots Societies, Mr J. G. McKenzie, feels that the formation of the Scottish regiment will stimulate recruiting in New Zealand, and bring forth a good type of recruit, who would, perhaps, not volunteer otherwise. It is well known, he said, in an interview, that in the old volunteer days, when there were Highland units, these were always well filled. The kilt and bagpipes stimulate the national instincts in Scottish youth.