THE HOME LAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3881, 31 July 1928, Page 6

THE HOME LAND

(From Our Special Correspondent.) SCOTLAND, June 6.

We are now in the leafy month of June. All over Scotland the weather has been ideal for some tinic past. The trees are in full foliage, beautiful and refreshed by alLniglit showers, and farmers in general have made up for lost time. The crops are coming on splendidly, and for the present, at any rate, everything points to a bounteous harvest. Marked increases have taken place in the prices of fat stock, the reason being the shorter supplies of chilled and other meat from abroad. This is affording, some relief to the feeders, as store cattle and sheep have been very dear for many months.

In a hospital in Scotland some time ago nine cases of tetanus followed surgical operations, and all the patients except one died from the infection. On the facts becoming known to the Scottish Board of and, in view of the suspicion which attaches to catgut qs a source of tetanus infection, an inquiry into the' subject was initiated; The board appointed Profesor T. J. Mackie a special commission to investigate the reported cases, and to inquire into “ the effectiveness of the means' employed for sterilisation of catgut in its manufacture, storage, and use in hospital, and the dangers attendant on its use in surgery.” In the report which Professor Mackie has now prepared for the Board of Health he sums up his conclusions by stating that “ the evidence pointed definitely to catgut as the source of infection by B; tetani ami other sporing anserobes in the groujj of cases investigated. Catgut was the common factor in these cases; it was obtained from one source; no further cases occurred after the stoppage of the particular supply. . . These facts alone seemed highly suggestive, but eVen more convincing evidence was obtained by the finding of B. tetani and certain other sporing anaerobes in specimens of catgut ready for operative use, and by experimental tests which showed that the bactericidal methods employed in its preparation were ineffective as complete sterilisation processes.” Professor Mackie recommends that the manufacture of surgical catgut should be brought within the scope of the Therapeutic Substances Act. This, he thinks, would assist and guide manufacturers in standardising their methods and safeguarding their products.

The outlook in the shipbuilding. trade continues to be quite, hopeful. There is continued activity in all the Scottish districts, and the’ amount of tonnage launched during May was well'up to the average. Thirty-seven Vessels took the water,, the tonnage being (10,718. Of these, 28 vessels of 49,461 tons were built on the Clyde, five of 3392 tons on the Forth, two of 7400 tons at Dundee, and two of 465 tons in the Aberdeen area. The Clyde total for the five months of this year was much larger than that of the corresponding period of either the previous year or 1926, and was short of the maximum recorded by only 53,265 tons. In. the yards.-and engineering shops work is proceeding very smoothly. There are unsettled questions of wages in both departments', but it is not at all likely that there will be any serious difficulties in relation to labour matters'. A substantial improvement in freights would do much to stabilise trade on the present level of activity, and that is not improbable.

In unveiling the memorial stone of the Black Watch Memorial Home at Dunalistair, Broughty Ferry, the Duke of Atholl said it was perhaps the best and most practical memorial that had been erected anywhere since: the war. His Grace was accompanied by the Duchess of Atholl, M.P., and there was a large gathering presided over by Lord Provost High, Dundee. The guard of honour, comprised of ex-members of the regiment, included Corporal Ripley, V.C.. St. Andrews, and Private Melvin, V.C., Kirriemuir. Colonel Evans,. V.C., com-' manding the 2nd Battalion, Fort George, was also present. They were, the duke said, to look on the memorial stone as a sort of label upon the home, fashioned in the most permanent way known to them, to remind future generations of their love for those whom it commemorated, and their gratitude that, thanks to their sacrifice, they were able to be there that day. ' The memorial stone was in memory of 571 officers arid 7429 other ranks, of the Black Watch who fell in the Great War. The stone differed from many, for it was not a general memorial in which the names of the men of the Black Watch appeared along with the names, of others, but it. was a memorial within the regiment itself, erected’by those who be-’ longed to that wonderful corporation the Black Watch, the origin of which could be traced back to the year 1669, in the. old Highland companies which were raised “ to be a coristant guard. for securing the' peace in the Highlands and to watch upon the braes.” In the erection of this memorial home, as in many, other respects, the famous Black Watch has set an example to the other units of the British Army. ...

There is widespread regret .at the death of Dr John Horne, F.R.S.,oneof the ripest and most influential exponents of Scottish geology. - He had been in failing, health, for some months, and was in his 81st year. Dr Horne was for.many years connected With the geo-

logical survey of Scotland, and he has survived only two years after his close friend and scientific - associate, the late Dr B. N. Peach, with-whom the greater part of his geological work was done. A native of Campsie, he was educated at the Glasgow High School and at the University of Glasgow. In 1867, at the age of 19, he joined the staff of the Geological Survey of Scotland at its commencement, and remained 44 years in its service, retiring in June, 1911. Horne received many scientific and academic honours. The Universities of Aberdeen, St. Andrews, and Edinburgh honoured him with their LL.D, degrees.

Since its revival after the Great VVar the Tannahill anniversary concert on the Gleniffer Brats, near Paisley, has become as popular as ever. That held on Saturday to celebrate the 154th anniversary of the birth of Robert Tannahill, the Paisley poet, was attended by an audience numbering fully 8000. The choral programme was composed principally of Tannahill lyrics, and their rendering by a choir of over 600 voices, under Mr Allan Craig, was most enthusiastically received, several of the numbers having to be repeated.

The late Mr W. Forrester, a wellknown Edinburgh dentist, has left £lO,OOO to'the Scottish National Institution for Blinded Sailors and Soldiers, Newington House, Edinburgh, as well as the residue of his estate, which,'it is believed, will exceed in amount the sum left by legacy. Mr Forrester, who was in practice at 23a George square, Edinburgh, died a week ago at the age of 77 years.

The Scottish-Australian delegation left Edinburgh on Wednesday last for Glasgow. A right hearty welcome was accorded the visitors by the people of the western metropolis. Their stay extends over a week, and a crowded and interesting programme was arranged, m the forenoon of their arrival the members of the delegation were given a civic reception in the City Chambers. Mr J. D.. MTnnes, in acknowledging the .compliment paid to his companions, said they had been met at the station that morning with splendid handgrips ami smiling faces, .and now they realised that they were amongst their “ ahi folk.” Although sentiment loomed largely they had a mission’ They had come from Australia, representing all kinds of interests, to advertise the products of their country and to bring them into the homes of the people here. He sounded a note of warning, however. Australia was not a land flowing with milk and honey, but a land for strong and virile manhood, and not for the weakling. In the evening the visitors were entertained at a reception in the Ca’doro Restaurant by representative bodies, including the. Chamber of Commerce, -the City Business Club, the Rotary Club, and the Publicity Club. Two special trains brought the company to Glasgow. Attached to one of them there. were two coaches specially fitted up for displaying samples of Australian produce. These coaches remained at Queen street railway station during the week, and were open daily for inspection by the general public. On Thursday a varied and enjoyable round of engagements was undertaken by the members of the delegation. Favoured witli ideal weather they were afforded an opportunity of seeing and appreciating to the fullest extent the many attractions.of the city and its environs, as well as acquainting themselves generally with the various phases of the industrial, coriimercial, educational, and social life of the community. They were much struck with the magnitude of the works of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society at Shieldhall. Mr Robert Stewart, chairman of the society, explained the amou~t of-trade which they did in Australian wheat and fruit, and Mr A. E Tucker, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, remarked that Australia displayed a greater preference for British goods than any other country in the world. They came on their mission to the Home.and with one particular slo- §, an ~ goods for the British Empire. The ladies of the delegation were the guests of several of- the .women’s organisations of Glasgow an open-air. weleoriie being accorded them ui the beautiful grounds of Rouken Glen Park. Another full and interesting nrdgpmme of engagements was carried through on'Friday. Parties of the delegates were entertained to luncheon , by the Publicity Club and the Rotary Club Some 00 of the visitors who are particularly interested, in trade development between Britain -.and the great Commonwealth, enjoyed a sail down the Clyde on .one'of the Clyde Navigation Trust tugs in the , course of the afternoon when they were afforded an opportunity of viewing the harbour works and shipbuilding yards. Other events in the day s itinerary were visits to the works of the Albion Motor Car Company at Scotstorin, and the Dalmarribck electric power station of the Glasgow. Corpora-’ tion, and motor runs round Loch L ° Ch L ° ng ’ and tli e Grireloeh—nHleed every -possible facility has been’ afforded the visitors of seeing the coun ' tril rOU f m about -Glasgow and its indusS ’ u l e ; at th e sqme time they have bSF C ;/°A d ° mUeh advertising ™ belief -of Commonwealth. The closing scenes at tJ Ge ; sembhes were most ' Both Churches-the Church of Seotland.” bj

law established,” and the United Free Church of Scotland—were determined to force the pace on the union .question. It was-not the. end of the Assemblies—only an adjournment, as the courts will meet again on Wednesday, November 21, when steps will be taken for the eonsum mation of the union of the two Churches. Before separating the United Free Church General Assembly approved of an overture which is to be transmitted to presbyteries under the Barrier Act “ auent Declaration with reference to the consistency of the constitution of the United Free Church of Scotland and the principles thereof, and the relations of the Church of Scotland to the State.” It is declared in the last clause of the overture that there is in the relations of the Church of Scotland to the State nothing which is inconsistent with the constitution of the United Free Church of Scotland and the principles thereof.” In the closing proceedings there was perhaps a little lack of the buoyancy of spirit which used to characterise the House in times past. The Moderator’s address consisted of thanks to the officials of the Assembly for all they had done to guide and ease his work. He would not, he said, detain them by referring in detail to the subjects which had come under their review—the great appointments made in their .colleges or the inspiration of their reports, especially from the foreign and home mission fields. This only he would say, that upon the matter which had led to the adjournment of the House, namely, the nearing union of the Church of Scotland with the United Free Church of Scotland, they had indeed cause to “ thank God and take courage,” and on that matter especially, as on all the work of the Church, he would make grave and earnest appeal -to every minister and office-bearer within their bounds that they resort with diligence and reverent hope to prayer. All through the meetings of the United Free Church the thought was present to my mind, What would the stalwarts of 30 years ago think of the Free and United Presbyterian Churches being swallowed up by the Established Church of Scotland t

As is usual, the business transacted on the closing day of the General Assembly of the Established Church is purely of a routine character. The closing scene is more picturesque than that of the United Free Church. . The Lord High Commissioner (the Earl of Stair, D. 5.0.) was present accompanied by his countess and the members of his suite, while his mounted escort of Scots Greys kept guard outside. The Assembly Hall was crowded in every part. At the Moderator’s table a : seat was provided for the Right Rev. Dr Harry Miller, Moderator of the United Free Church. The Moderator, the Right Rev. J.. Montgomery Campbell, of Dumfries, delivered his elosing address, taking as his subject “ The Christian Good of Scotland.” : He said that. presbytery had made; and was still riiakirig, a .reasoned arid substantial contribution of a system which was itself united. To that end the Church, which was herself the mother of presbytery, ought to show the example to all her children. Could they consistently witness' for unity unless they were themselves stirring for reunion with those of a' common ancestry who ■ were separated from their fellowship? In Scotland, at least, they ought to be united. They had no authority to speak of visible unity to others until that had been accomplished, or at least attempted. Happily a large measure of that had been almost effected; the General Assembly of 1928 marked a further stage in the effort—might they hope the penultimate stage? Nor were they to be satisfied with the particular reunion which they anticipated immediately with-the United Free Church. The Scottish National Church of the future ought to include in its membership every branch of the Church of God in the land which had its root in Scottish soil and its place in Scottish history. They fully and,frankly recognised the faithfulness to high principle of some who were not yet to be with them, their loyal adherence to testimony, and their zeal for the Gospel and the Church' and Kingdom of God. There were, the Moderator went on, some who dreairit.«of the coining of a great British Church, whose bounds should be coterminous with the Empire, and whose life and influence should' mightily affect the whole world; Should that ever come within’the borders of, realisation, the Church of Scotland, free and united in all its partsj would haye a contribution to make to it, characteristic and precious. Dr Montgomery Campbell put’in a strong plea for more aggressive and systematic horiie ihissioir work. He. said the Church ought frankly' to identify itself with the municipalities and others who:'were seekirig' the ini-: provenient of the abominable physical; conditions under whiclr so; many people were compelled to pass their lives. Not even the Gospel had a ..chance in some of them, which. in every respect were a blot upon the face; of 'modern, civilisation. It might relieve somewhat thet grime and the squalor of-it all; blit without the aid of the sane social reformer eveii the Gospel could not secure the prevalence of the Kingdom of God. Social reform was surely the forerunner, as it was the complement of the Gospel. The usual compliments then passed- between the Moderator and the Lord High Commissioner, tlie latter concluding thus —“ And ribw,?in the Kirig’s name, I bid you farewell, and I pray that the blessing of- Almighty Goil may go 'with; you to the parishes and homes to which you: return. ” 3*o General: Assembly .thenJ adjourned,; as in case of the'United Free Chureh, until jNoyeiuber 21,. In the

cases of both Churches permission was given to the inferior courts to carry through their routine work as usual during the period that the Asseriiblics stand adjourned.