Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 25 January 1939, Page 6

Readers Write

In the issue or your paper of December 23, I read what Captain Evan Cameron had to say about Clan Cam-

SCOTTISH ASSO'CIATIONS FOR NORTHLAND.

eron organising for world peace. He claims world peace as the aim of hundreds of

Camerons mrougnout tlie world. Instead of the movement being confined to “hundreds of Camerons,” I would go further and say there are hundreds of thousands of other clansmen besides Camerons throughout the world interested in the Clan Association Movement. It might interest your readers to learn that on June 23, 24 and 25, 1938, there was a Clan Cameron rally at Achnacafry Castle, of Cameron men that exceeded any gathering of their clan since the rising in 1745. In all, it is estimated that about 15,000 attended, including 700 appointed representatives of the various branches of the clan at Home and from overseas. Very few stayed the three days, most of them attending on June 24 only. At this great rally the appointed representatives of the clan discussed the preservation of Achnacarry and the Clan Lands. Although no definite decision was made, Lochiel approved proposals that may mean almost the re-introduction of the old law, or custom, of “tam’stary.” Besides those of the name of Cameron, persons of 24 other names are actual members of this clan. All persons of these 25 names are members of Clan Cameron. All these and all whose wife, mother, grandmother or great-grandmother were members of the clan were allowed to take part in this historic rally, and were the guests for the time being of Sir Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the chief of the clan. A great deal could be written about this clan of ancient lineage. They were always keen and loyal supporters of the Kings of Scotland, and their part in the rising of 1745 is well known. The deeds of the 79th Cameron Highlanders are well known. They were raised by Sir Allan Cameron, of Erracht, who obtained the undertaking from the King in 1793 that the Cameron Volunteers, as they were then called, would be commanded by himself and other Gaelic speaking officers, and for that reason were nicknamed “Cia mar Thathu,” which means “How are you?” My object is not to write of the Clan Cameron Association only. This association was founded in 1889, but there are several older associations, notably Clan Gregor, founded in 1822, and Clan Mac Kay Society, founded in 1806. Although these latter societies are so old and have many branches throughout the world, they have not had any great clan rally similar to the Camerons. Shortly before the Cameron rally there was a rally of the Clan MacLeod at Dunvegan Castle. If the Caledonian societies, Celtic societies, Clan associations, Gaelic societies, Scottish county associations, St. Andrew’s societies, Burns and Scott clubs, etc., were to form a world federation, their influence for peace and progress, in my opinion, would be very great. It may interest your readers to learn that there are 310 of the above societies in and near Edinburgh and Glasgow, 106 in London and 160 in the Home counties outside London. In Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands Scotsmen have their national societies. Coming within the above description of societies there are more than 80 in Africa, 200 odd in Australia and a very large number in Canada. In thte latter Dominion the societies are mostly federated inVo 163 strong associations. In New Zealand we have nearly 100 societies, very few of which are in federations. In using their influence for good the strength of the Scottish societies in the British Empire is probably not as important as their strength in foreign countries. In the United States of America there are 249 separate' federations of Scottish societies. Some of the individual societies in these federations have very large memberships ranging from a few hundreds to 7000. Mexico, Argentine, Brazil, British Guiana, West Indies, Trinidad, Chili, Peru, Uruguay, Dutch East Indies, Borneo, Siam, Mesopotamia, Persia, India, Ceylon, Malay Archipelago, China and Japan all have their colonies of Scottish people who have their own Scottish societies

In Europe the Scottish people have formed societies strong enough to maintain Presbyterian ministers in the following countries as under:—Holland 2, Belgium 2, France 5, "Portugal 1, Gibraltar 1, Malta 1, Switzerland 1, Bohemia 1 and Hungary 1. Italy used to have four societies who maintained ministers, but I am not sure of the present position. I think that organised Scottish societies within the Empire could assist those in foreign countries, and their joint influence would do a lot to keep the peace, increase trade which would decrease unemployment, and make this world a better place to live in. | I think in and around Waipu and I Whangarei there should be enough j MacKenzies, MacKays and Mac Leans jto form their own clan associations, j and I would be very pleased to hear j of some of them moving in that direcI tion.

I wish to thank you, Mr Editor, for permitting me to bring this matter forward, and I hope we may see one or more clan or Scottish societies formed in or near Whangarei.—S. C. CRAWFORD.