ABOLITION OF THE KILT.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIII, Issue 2988, 4 September 1912, Page 2

ABOLITION OF THE KILT.

SENTIMENT AND TRADITION

There are in New Zealand a very large number of Scotsmen who will be interested in the appeal for the retention of the kilt as a distinctive military/ dress in the Commonwealth, defence forces, yvhich was made to the Federal Minister for Delence (Senator Pearce) on Thursday. It was asked that the?, Minister should respect the sentiment of thousands of Scottish people in" AUStralia, and one or two speakers men' tioned that in Canada the formation of Scottish regiments was' favoured. In reply, Senator Pearce said that he respected sentiment ana tradition, and could not help feeling impressed. He, ," however, look the responsibility for the abolition of the kilt, and his decision was based upon Lord Kitchener's territorial scheme. Money must only be spent on essentials. Even a plain kilt would cost more than a khaki uniform.. Australia did not need to hold out a.: gorgeous uniform to attract men to thei service. The uniform now in existence? would be worn while the present ScotJtish companies were *in existence:There would, therefore, be time for. ,further consideration of the question of kilts. He would see if it was possible (o arrive at. some solution without impairing the great principle ol the scheme. . . .