FROM NORTH OF TWEED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22023, 4 August 1933, Page 12

FROM NORTH OF TWEED

LETTER TO OVERSEAS SCOTS Written for the Otago Daily Times B.y Robert S. Angus. EDINBURGH, May 24. . With the customary ceremonial, religious, civic, military, and social, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has been opened, and until Friday of next week over 1000 “fathers and brethren” will meet daily to discuss the state of the church and the nation. I suspect as one of the symptoms of advancing years my impression that the assembly is not what the assemblies used to be. The leaders seem smaller in stature, though the general level of the rank and file has risen. The questions they discuss do not excite the same passion as when the two gatherings used to have exciting debates on disestablishment and other topics which have disappeared from the public mind. In those days the assemblies, meeting on the opposite sides of the same street and almost within earshot of each other, used to ignore each other’s existence except to make veiled and bitter allusions. Then came the period of the exchange of formal visits, which gradually developed into fraternisation and ultimately into the long-drawn and difficult negotiations which resulted in their reunion, after two generations of separation. Unfortunately, the union was not complete. A small remnant of the United Free Church stood out, but the dissentients must ask themselves—as the public certainly does—whether their action was required by the circumstances of the time or has been justified by the result. CHURCH UNIONS.

Unfortunately, we have still several pther remnants of Presbyterianism which think it their duty to remain apart from the main body. During the year representatives of the Original Secession Church and the Free Church have been discussing the possibility of union, and it is symptomatic of the childish pedantry which characterises these small and scattered bodies that, having agreed on the essentials, they could not reach unanimity as to the name of the united church. The Reformed Presbyterians (or Covenanters) broke away from the discussion on the ground that the proposed basis did not “ provide a sufficiently distinct recognition of that church’s historic attitude towards political franchise ”• whatever that may mean. I cannot help feeling that the leaders of these churches are still living in times as remote historically as most of their parishes are geographically, and that they are treating as cardinal principles matters about which the younger generation cares little or nothing. These displays of spiritual or intellectual pride are not a credit to Presbyterianism and they amount to a scandal at a time when the churches should be uniting their efforts in a common cause.

RELATIONS WITH ANGLICANISM. On the other hand, it is easy to sympathise with the Church of Scotland Unofficial Committee tvhich has issued a protest against a continuance of the discussions with the Church of England. The comment of its_ members is much on the lines that I indicated last week —that no conference at Lambeth and York were needed to discover that the two churches have many points of agreement —and these by far the most important—or that there is an influential section of the Church of England, which, except on its own terms, -will never admit Presbyterian ministers to Anglican pulpits or members to their communion tables. While that frame of mind remains discussion is idle, and all con-; cerned would be better advised to go their several ways in all friendliness, leaving it to time and increasing' co-opera-tion to bring them close together. A PALACE FOR EDUCATION.

Lord Lothian has announced his readiness to hand over Newbattle Abbey, his Erincely residence six miles from Ediuurgh, to the Scottish Universities as a college for working men and a centre for iveek-end or vacation courses. Since he succeeded his cousin some years ago Lord Lothian, who is a bachelor, has seldom lived in the abbey, a beautiful place, although in the centre of a coal mining district. Part of the building dates from 1190, and it s size is indicated by the fact that'its owner estimates that it will accommodate about 60 students. He admits that a bursary of about £6O would nave to be available for each, and that the cost of domestic staff and maintenance would amount to about £3OOO a year. Allowing something for the teaching staff though much of the work would, no doubt, be done voluntarily—it looks as if a capital sum of about a quarter of a million would have to be raised, a formidable task, but nob an impossible one when normal times return. Lord Lothian has offered to include in his gift the library and most of the pictures in the abbey. Here, if ever, is a chance for some wealthy Scotsman to provide a lasting memorial of himself and at the same time give his fellow-countrymen what would be a unique addition to the country’s educational equipment. GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. I am told that the Scottish Fine Arts Commission is still discussing the scheme for the erection of a suite of Government buildings in Edinburgh, and that although agreement has not been reached the prospect is not bo. unpromising as. at one time appeared. It is clear that the °ffiqial view is still in favour of the Gallon site, mainly because it is already in public ownership, but Regent terrace, St. James s square, and the Canal basin each has its champions. I believe the Government is willing to leave the selection of the architect to a jury appointed by the profession—there is no longer any thought of the design being entrusted to the Ofhce of Works staff—but the one thing they will not do is to have a competition; experience of that method has been disastrous in the past. KING’S PAINTER. Sir D. Y. Cameron's appointment as King’s Painter and Limner in Scotland in succession to the late Robert Gibb i admirable. Sir David was one °, f Yh early members of the Glasgow School and all his work is marked by a scholar!} and poetic dignity. He is, besides an experienced administrator and a « , public speaker. The office has been vacant for some time, and it is characters tic of the good sense which has marked Su Godfrey Collin’s administration that he has filled the vacancy. EDUCATION. The annual report of the Scottish Education Department is on the whole a satisfactory document. It shows progress i every * direction except that ot expenditure, which has been drastically reduced mainly at the expense of the But the profession is by no means underpaid even now or unattractive, as i shown by the steps that have had to be taken to limit the number of entrants. The best feature of the year was the increase in the number of post-pnmaiy pupils, induced in some degree by tne fact that, employment not being readilj available, parents are wisely keeping tbeir children longer at school. _ In this connection I note with surprise and regret ihe retirement of Mr C. J. N. Ileming, lI.M. inspector of schools for Uuinti 10s and Galloway. It docs not seem so long ago —although when I come to think ot it the date must have been about 1890 or 1897 —since he was a_ stalwart in the Scottish Rugby team which met England at Hampden Park, Glasgow. -Now he has reached the retiring age, after spending the whole of his working life m the rural districts of southern Scotland. His experience led him in his valedictory speech to pay a high tribute to the work of the country school teacher, who, he claimed, is doing far better service _ in training decent young citizens than in forcing a select few into the winning of university bursaries. GLASGOW INQUIRY. I learn that Lord Anderson s inquiry into Glasgow municipal administration will open next Monday and that several members of the corporation will give evidence. At one time the inquiry threatened to be a fiasco, ns no one seemed prepared to come forward —a fact which might mean either that there has been no maladministration or that those who know about it are afraid to speak in suite of the indemnity they have been offered. But ouce a few witnesses are obtained others are likely to follow. EVEREST FLYERS. The old prediction that when the North Pole was discovered a Scotsman would be found beside it was not fulfilled by the event, but at least we can claim to have been well represented in the first flight over Mount Everest. The Marquis of Clydesdale, M.P., on his return from his adventure, was warmly welcomed by his Renfrewshire constituents and his fellowcountrymen, Flight-lieutenant MTntyre was included. Each was presented with

a gold wrist watch. Lord Clydesdale in a characteristically modest speech claimed that the flight had demonstrated the trustworthiness of British aeroplanes and engines, the value of aerial survey of otherwise inaccessible country, and the merits of high-flying apparatus. > He told some amusing stories of the impression produced on the natives by the flying machines; some thought them gods, others regarded them as the devil. Lord Clydesdale, claimed that his trip had not been without its political value since it had enabled him to make a personal study of the Indian problem. HIGHLAND SHOW.

Dundee and district is making great preparations for the 102nd annual show of the Highland and agricultural district next month. In spite of the depression in agriculture, the entries show a substantial increase in all the classes, and particularly in machinery, which is evidently destined to play an increasing part in the industry. This year’s president of the society is the Duke of York, who will be staying at Glamis Castle, and will visit the show on two days. A VETERAN CHIEF.

Sir Fitzroy Donald Maclean, of Duart Castle, celebrated his ninety-eighth birthday there this week. He is believed to be the last surviving officer of the Crimean War, but his interest in affairs, particularly those of his clan, is still keen. As the steamers paped under the castle they dipped their flags in salute, a compliment which was returned by the display of the castle banner. In the old days ships passing through the. Sound of Mull without saluting in acknowledgment of the overlordship of the Chief of Duart were liable to be fired upon. For oyer two centuries the castle was out of the possession of the Macleans, but, visiting it as a youth, Sir Fitzroy vowed that he would one day regain it. It took him over half a century to attain his ambition, and it was not until 1911 that he entered into possession of the ancient stronghold which he had bought and restored.