AN AMERICAN CRUSADE AGAINST KILTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 11

AN AMERICAN CRUSADE AGAINST KILTS.

KILTS.

NEW JERSEY'S QUESTION : "ARE

THEY DECENT ?"

Of all recent American " anti " movements, that in Paterson, New Jersey, will excite the greatest wrath among Scotsmen. The latest crusade is one against the harmless necessary kilt! The Daily Mail correspondent says that the Rev. Frank Hoagland, the local secretary of the Young AJen's Christian Association" refused permission to the Clan Macdonald, a respectable Highland organisation, to give an entertainment in the Association Hall cause the programme included a Highland fling, danced by four Scotsmen in kilts. These Mr Hoagland pronounced to be highly improper, and declared that the indecent exposure of bare legs siiocked the ladies, and that the fling was worse than the ballet. It is reported that he declined to let the Highlandmen appear unless they wore long skirts, plaid trousers, or bloomers. The Scotchmen, it is said, have indignantly refused to accept the compromise, and have appealed to the National Board of the Young Men's Christian Association. Public opinion is divided, but Mr Hoagland's position is endorsed by large numbers of influential people. • A Dalziel's message adds the amusing detail that the Scotsman declared, in vindication .of the wearing of the kilts, that the Queen's Scottish servants were them, and surely no exception could be taken tc anything worD in her Majesty's presence. Mr Hoagland, nothing daunted, replied : " Queen Victoria is doubtless respectable, but she is indiscreet. The association is now preparing to write to her on the subject. I shudder ,^hen I think of the possible evil results of such an exhibition »here."