SCOTTISH SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23334, 28 October 1937, Page 15

SCOTTISH SOCIETY

ANNUAL GATHERING ADDRESS BY MR R. G. McNAB There was an excellent attendance of members and friends at the annual gathering of the Scottish Society of Dunedin, held in the Victoria Hall last night. The meeting was presided over by Mr John McDonald, and the speaker for the • evening was Mr R. G. C. McNab, the principal of John McGlashan College. In his . introductory remarks the chairman welcomed those present, and especially the president and representatives of the various Scottish societies in the district. ' This gathering was the sixth of its kind. At first the society had been simply a pipers' club, then it had become the St. Andrew's Society, and finally, in order that it might embrace all who were interested, it had become the Dunedin Scottish Society. The society stood for all that was good in Scottish history and arts, and it symbolised the affection of the Scottish people for the British Empire. "In.these troubled days," he concluded, " it behoves us to remember the national and, if possible, the international part of our duties." Mr J. JefTery, representing the Council of Scottish Societies, and Mr Sabiston, of the Orkney and Shetland Society, also spoke. The speaker of the evening, Mr R. G. C. McNab, took the Scottish national movement as the theme of his address. "We hear about the ' dour Scot,'" said Mr McNab, "but in my opinion the Scot is as emotional as anyone else—in many cases more so —but he has his feelings under control."

It had been said, he continued, that Ireland was the " most distressful country ever seen." But Irish history was not comparable with periods in the story of Scotland. Scottish history was most depressing, for it was a sequence of slow rises to glory which faded 'almost immediately. From the early days of the seventh century to the reign of Malcolm Kenmure, it was a long story of murder, and sudden death. But by the time Alexander 111 came to the throne the ports were active, commerce was thriving, and the Scottish court was the centre of art and culture. The glory of Scotland rose until the days of Wallace and Bruce, when it seemed as if Scotland was destined to take a high place among the countries and cultural centres of Europe. The heyday of Scottish art came 150 years earlier than the corresponding period in English history, Mr McNab stated. In the speaker's opinion the poems of Dunbar were even better than those of Shakespeare. Then came a " period of gloom." The influence of Calvinism, although of great benefit to Scotland, blighted Scottish art. When James II succeeded to the throne of England the poets, writers, and artists who had been the centre of Scottish cultural activity, went with him, and in this way the impulse towards a national culture was removed. But the national energy had to find some outlet, and as a compensation for the removal of literary and philosophical activities, new spheres of interest, notably engineering and teaching in universities, were taken up. Then came a period of continuous dissention. Scotland became a prey to traitors, fanatics, foreigners, and "self-seekers." There was the upheaval caused by the tragic episode of Mary, Queen of Scots; the Cavalier and Roundhead dissension, the misery of the '45, and the attempt to break up the clan system. But another brief period of cultural glory arrived, and at the end of the eighteenth century (the time of Burns) it seemed, said the speaker, that Scotland would again be a leader in the world of European art. Unfortunately, the industrial revolution crushed these hopes. At the beginning of the nineteenth century the English had good reason tn regard Scotland as an uncouth and uncultured country. But this opinion was denied by the Scottish national independence of spirit. The most important racial characteristic was the love of learning, and the desire to put one's family on the road to wisdom was the basis of the. Scottish democratic feeling. It was to the future they must now: look. The Scottish national movement, which was being brought to the fore by writers connected with the move, to wards a Scottish national culture, was a step forward. Mr McNab commended the "bigger and more intellectual honesty of the young Scottish \ writers." In his opinion, it would have been better for Scotland if Barrie and Crockett had not written. He did not intend to criticise their undoubted literary ability, but merely to mention that their "sentimental escape from reality" was contrary to the Scottish character.

In conclusion, Mr McNab stated that it behoved all who had the improvement of Scotland's culture at heart to support the people .in all walks of life who were reminding Scots throughout the world to work for their country's future, instead of celebrating its past glories. At the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks to the speaker was moved by Mr Caldwell.

During the evening songs were presented by Miss L. McDonald and Messrs A. McDonald and J. Simpson. Highland dances were given by Misses L. McPherson, S. McPherson. J. Brown, arid Master J. Millar. The accompanist was Piper R. Hornal.