SCOTCHMEN IN ARMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7447, 23 May 1911, Page 1

SCOTCHMEN IN ARMS

TO DEFEND THE KILT DEPUTATION TO DEFENCE MINISTER ARRANGED. To rescue the Highland Rifles from tho oblivion of “G Company st.li Regiment,” and preserve the kilt among the military uniforms of New Zealand, a committee meeting of Scotch-men took place at Godber’s rooms last night, when a deputation was appointed to urge these points upon the Hon. George Fowlds (Acting-Minister of Defence). Mr Robert Fletcher was voted to the chair and mentioned, that the movement had his entire sympathy. Air A. Shaw (hou. secretary) stated that he had notified the whole of the Caledonian Societies and late Highland Corps, and had received sympathetic replies from the Martinborough Caledonian Society, tho Scottish Societies of Wellington and Christchurch, the Southland Caledonian Society, and the Wanganui Highland Society. It had been intended, in order to provide the means of uniforming a regiment, or part of a regiment to represent the North Island, that an entertainment should be held in tho Opera House, but unfortunately this had fallen through. “LEAVE WELL ALONE.” Captain James McNaught, of the Wangamu Highland Rifles, wrote suggesting that the civic and military authorities would assist by all ways and means within military land civic reason, to create a spi.it of true co-operation in the interests of the Dominion’s defence. lam afraid,” he continued, “misleading, unreliable. and unofficial information has been circulated among some of your men iu the present case, judging by the published statement of the Acting-Minister of Defence on this important subject. If ever tho time does come to protect any just cause for opposition in connection with the abolition of tbo kilt I will most heartily co-oneratc w all forces I can summon. Meanwhile, leave well alone and trust tout Commandant and those m authority. ’ ■ , , Mr J. G. W. Aitken asked how, many men could be get to wear the kilt- , A voice : Five hundred 1 Air Douald McMillan stated that if a Highland battalion was.formed in each island, the ages of tho men to bo admitted should be increased, to, thirty-five. Ho did not approve of putting boys in kilts. Alanv old Soldiers, good and true, abler bodied Scotchmen would rejoin for the sake of getting the kilt- back. It would bo easy to fill the thirty uniforms now on "tho wharf, making- ninety-three .Highlanders in all. 1 ' ' .. : - Mr Dobson declared that the Ministers statement was a mere sparring for wind. There was no'doubt that tho-Highlanders were given,notice that the kilt would bo done away with. The Highlanders realised that they had received their death warrant as a Highland regiment, and that as soon as khaki uniforms could he got, tho kilt would disappear. If a Highland regiment was allowed, the men would- be ■ forthcoming. They wanted something to remind young New Zealanders of the gallant deeds of Highlanders, deeds which had helped to win the Empire. CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES: It was suggested that it would be difficult to- keep up a Highland company m Wellington, the company having come down to thirty-three at one period. , Mr Dobson replied that the position 1 wa-s changed now because it was not a voluntary system. ■ . Mr Meldrum was sure that a company could be sustained in Wellington, and ■formed into a brigade when they met the other companies. Air Lon. AlcKenzae remarked that Canada tried to do away with the kilt, hut they had gone back to the national dress, because there was a certain inspiration about it. Now Zealand was not likely to do anything which would lessen that patriotic spirit. Air S. F. McLean remarked that Colonel Duthie, officer commanding tho Wellington district, gave the - deputation of Scotchmen a bad reception. “He. gave us a mild dramatic recital and said the kilt must go,” added the speaker. He was positive that 60 per cent, of the Wellington battalion would join the Highland Rifles if opportunity offered. Mr Leu. McKenzie took an optimistic view. Ho .was sure that the Scotch element predominated so largely in New Zealand that the kilts would not go. Tho Alinistry was half Scottish, and iu tho City Council tho same blood was predominant. It was decided to leave the arrangements for tho deputation, and' speakers with the joint hon. secretaries (Messrs Alexander Shaw and William Dobson), Air Leu. McKenzie and Major Macintosh. The Minister had not replied to a letter from the "Kilt Defence League,” probably owing to his absence from Wellington, and the secretaries undertook to secure an appointment for the deputation.