N.Z. May Have Highland Regiment

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1938, Page 2

N.Z. May Have Highland Regiment

I per Press Association. Copyright.]

DUNEDIN. This Day

It is likely that within the next week or two. Cabinet will make its decision on the proposal for the establishment of a regiment of Highland troops in Now Zealand.

The Minister of Defence. Ihc Hon. F. Jones, said on Saturday that if the

idea were adopted there would be in each of. the four main centres, a company of Highland troops composed of 125 men, who would bo attired probably in Ihc uniform of (ho famous Black Watch Regiment. It was considered that the establishment of a Highland regiment would provide a link with the country from which so many of the pioneers of New Zealand t ad come. Mr Jones said. A proposal which nad been made by Scottish societies was that contributions. should ho made both by thorn and the recruit;; toward the cost of tie kilted uniform, which was rather morn expensive than that issued to the present Territorial units. The Minister said that kilts and accessories of tiie Black Watch tartan would be worn in conjunction with the blue or khaki jackets of the present Territorial uniform.

He considered that a company of men uniformed in this way, and preceded by'a pipe band in full Highland uniform, would be an acquisition to any of the cities, as well as providing a stimulus to recruiting, which the present state of world affairs rendered necessary.