A SCOTTISH BATTALION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 13

A SCOTTISH BATTALION

Si r —At the present time, when there is talk of reorganisation in defence circles, it may not be inopportune to ask why there is no New Zealand Scottish? Canada has its Scottish regiments, as the world knows; the South African Brigade in the Great War included a Scottish battalion, which is not likely to be forgotten by those who had the privilege of seeing it in action. Most volunteer corps have a kilted unit, e.g., the Shanghai Scottish, and yet we, largely of Scots extraction, have no unit to carry our traditions into actjpn. As an aid to recruiting the kilt useful, and I feel sure that the esprit de corps of such a unit, with the added competitive feeling between units, would not fail to have a beneficial effect on keenness and efficiency generally. Probably the question of cost will be advanced as an argument against the suggestion, but there is no necessity to go in for elaborate equipment. No expensive tartan is needed. The khaki kilt of the 10th (Service) Battalion, the Black Watch and the famous hodden grey of the London Scottish arc smart and serviceable, and it should not be difficult for our mills'ito evolve a suitable heather mixture, such as was worn in the early days. A goat-hair sporran should not be beyond the capabilities of disabled ex-servicemen to make, but is not really necessary, as a half-apron of khaki drill is smart. For the rest, hose-tops, worn with angle puttees and boots, and a Balmoral or service "Tam" are the only other items of special equipment. A start could be made with a full company in each of the four centres, which would amalgamate as a battalion in case of necessity. N.Z. Scot.