FROM NORTH OF TWEED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3801, 18 January 1927, Page 71

FROM NORTH OF TWEED.

'A LETTER TO OVERSEAS SCOTS. /

By

Robert S. Angus.

EDINBURGH. November 25. I believe that in my last letter I promised to say no more about the coal stoppage. It is still impossible, however, to

avoid the subject, if only to mention that events are gradually shaping towards a complete resumption of work. Even before the negotiations between the Scottish coalowners and miners began in Glasgow ~this week the number of men who had returned to work on pit settlements was about half tho total that is likely to find permanent employment. In these circumstances the representatives of tho men could do no more than mike peace on the best terms possible. Already the mine-owners have been clamouring for a removal of the ban

on exports, on which their trade to a large extent depends, but the Government have so far declined, arguing that Home industry must have as much fuel as it needs before any is • sent I had an interesting talk the other day with a prominent (though moderate) Socialist leader who spent last week-end addressing zmeetings in a mining area. He tells me he was amazed to find with how little resentment the men were returning to work. They seemed to be proud of having made such a good fight and to bear no grudge against the owners -or, indeed, against

anyone except their own leaders who l.«ve handled the situation so badly. My informant scouts the idea that the men will soon want to renew tho struggle. .He points out that not only are their unions bankrupt, but most of the men aro heavily in debt to the local tradesmen, who have given them credit during these seven months. They will now expect the arrears to be reduced by so tha. in many cases the men will have less free cash on resuming work than they had when they were idle.

DOMINION PREMIERS’ VISIT. Now that their deliberations in Downing street are over, the Premiers of Australia, Canada, Newfoundland, and New Zealand, along with the Maharajah of Burdwan, have found time to pay us a hurried visit, under the auspices of the British.

Empire League. They arrived in Edinburgh this week, received the honorary freedom of the city, lunched with the Lord Provost, attended the University for honorary degrees, had tea with the students at the union, and attended a reception given by Lady Findlay, of Aberlour, at her fine residence in Rothesay terrace. As is our habit on such occasions, we claimed kinship with our visitors; indeed so far as I can make out the Maharajah- was the only one who was not able to boast of at least' some Scottish blood in his veins. THE ASSEMBLY MODERATORS. Usually our General Assembly moderators at the close of their year of office lapse into the obscurity from which they have temporarily emerged. This year, however, the Church of Scotland has chosen as its head one who needs no official eminence to add to his stature. I refer to the RevDr Norman Mac Lean, of St. Cuthbert’s Church, Edinburgh. He is a Highlander of the Highlanders—born near Portree and spending the first years of his ministerial life, in such out-of-the-wav places as Waternish and Glengarry. In these quiet spots he found time to develop the literary gift which he has been able to use only occasionally since he undertook such important; charges as Coliulon, Park (Glasgow), and his present church. At the outbreak of tho war he wrote a short sketch, “In Our Parish,” vividly describing the effect piuduced in a quiet countryside by the great upheaval. Reprinted in pamphlet form it sold in hundreds of thousands. He preaches with eloquence in Gaelic and English, showing in the latter that slight Hignland intonation which is so pleasant. But for his clerical duties, he nqght have made his name as a novelist—h<> has produced two volumes of Highland sketched—but nowadays he is so busy with all manner of activities, including the union movement, that he has little time for writing. At the moment he is in Australia as the first preacher under the Tushbull Trust. The United Free Church has chosen the 'Rev. James Wethered, a native of Berwickshire, now minister of St. Paul’s. Dundee, where he has been for 20 years. He is prominent . in his church as convener of the Central Fund Committee. The Free Church Moderator is to ba the Rev. Alexander Argyllshire man, who has long beett.the church’s superintendent missionary in South Africa. RIGHTS-OF-WAY. Though we have had a Scottish Rights-of-\Vay Association in existence for over 80 years, we have generally been less vigilant or our landowners have been more grasping than on the other side of the Tweed. The association probably came into existence too late to safeguard some of the old paths of which the public had

a traditional use, but it has done admirable work both in its earlier years and lately when landlords have a more enlightened view of their duties. It has been particularly successful in keeping open iho many paths across the Pentland Hills. As an instance of the changed conditions. I may mention that Lord Glentanar and the society have reached an amicable agreement. as to the paths across his property on Deeside, and the parties have lodged with the Parish Council a six-inch map as a nermanent and agreed record of the public rights. The society is now engaged in the preparation of a series of 70 twoinch maps for the guidance of pedestrians) and tourists—an admirable scheme. In its day the society has had several notable litigations, hut it finds that the best, results are obtained by friendly negotiations. FOLK-LORE. Sir Donald Maclean has been .so much immersed, politcally and professionally, with affairs in the south that one is apt, despite his name, to forget that he is a pure Highlander. In that capacity he was the Miief speaker at the simi-jubilec meeting of the Glasgow Tiree Association. His grandfather was evicted from his farm on the island. Speaking of the great material improvements since those days, including the introduction of wireless. Sir Donald expressed a fear that one disadvantage would be the tendancy for tho c oms, tales, racial beliefs, floating traditions, and, precious bits of folk-lore to disappear. 110 suggested that the Scottish Universities might combine in a survev to save tnese .things from oblivion. Here would be an excellent sphere for the Gaelic University of which we heard so milch from our American visitors some months ago. ABERDEEN .ART GALLERY.

Sir James Murray, to whom the Aberdeen Art Gallery already owes so much, has further enriched it by tho gift of two notable pictures—“ The Spanish Lottery” by John Phillip, an Aberdonian artist. of distinction during last century, and “Tho Tennis Party” by Sir John Lavery. The latter was the property of the Munich Art Gallery, but at the outbreak of war was on loan for exhibition in London. It would not be returned till after the declaration of peace, and then the owners nolitelv intimated that they did not want it back, having exchanged it for another. This, I believe, was done in pursuance cf a decision to have all British pictures removed from German public -alleries, —a policy yvhich some day will be regretted. Not long ago, as the result, of that decision. Mr Ramsay "Macdonald was able to procure an important Orcltardson for the Scottish 'National Gallery.

A VETERAN HUNTER. Keen regret has been excited by the death of Mr Harry ' Armour, the manager of the Scottish Insurance Corporation, with which he had been connected for uearlv. 50 years. Apart from his business, which brought him into touch with, a wide circle, his main interests were fishing and hunting, and it was at the close of a brisk run with the Stirlingshire fox-hounds that befell dead from his horse. The strain hail evidently prove,d too much for a man of over 70, although to all appearances he had lost little of his vigour. He was the oldest member of the hunt, which he had followed since his boyhood. , If he could have chosen the manner of his death, ho would probably not have had it otherwise, and at his own request he was buried mt his hunting kit.