THE HOME LAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 6

THE HOME LAND

(Fbow Gue Special Correspondent.) SCOTLAND, August 1. An attendance of 75,501 during the four days the Highland and Agricultural Society’s Show was open at Aberdeen is proof positive of the strong appeal which the exhibition exerts upon the people of the north-east of Scotland. This is the largest figure reached at any of the shows during the past eight years, the next best within that period being 74,185 at the previous Aberdeen Show in 1920. There was a downpour of rain on the closing day which kept many people away. Thursday was the big day of the show in the matter of attendance, when 47,010 paid for admission. The attraction was undoubtedly the judging competition for juniors. There is keen rivalry between the agricultural colleges, each of which had had teams forward—the Glasgow College had two, one of men and one of women—and Young Farmers’ Clubs were also represented. For thoroughness in their work the girls took the palm, and in the end they triumphed grandly. There was loud and sustained applause when, in the individual competition, the names of three girls were read out in succession at the top of the list. The possible points were 80, and the following were the leading prize-winners and their scores:— Winifred G. Ferguson, The Corb, Blairgowrie, 68, 1; Helen S. Macleod, Dairy School, .Kilmarnock; and Mathie Park, Beunstane, Portobello (equal), 60, 2; Ilanora M, Ilmeles, Dairy School, Kilmarnock, and D. D. Davie, Dairy School, Kilmarnock (equal). In the team work the Skene Young Farmers’ Club led with an aggregate of 264 points; the West of Scotland College was second with a score of 262. Mount Blair Young Farmers’ Club was third, and the Wes' 1 of Scotland College team No. 2 (all girls) and Cupar-Fife Continuation Classes Club were equal for the fourth place. In the inter-college contest the west of Scotland teams were both above those of their opponents.

Men of all political ereeds have done honour to the Earl of Balfour on attaining his 80th birthday on July 25. Scotland in particular is proud of the venerable and distinguished statesman and philosopher. His ancestral home is north of the Tweed, in Haddingtonshire, and when not at St. Stephens he spends much of his time there. Hundreds of letters and telegrams of congratulation from all parts of the world, as well as numerous beautiful presents, were received by the venerable nobleman. The King sent greetings to “an old friend ” and “ a faithful and valued adviser to three successive sovereigns.’’ In the afternoon members of both Houses of Parliament met in the Speaker’s Courtyard at Westminster, when the Earl of Balfour was presented with a RolleRoyce saloon motor car. The speakerincluded Mr Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister; Mr J. R. Clynes, M.P., who represented the Leader of the Laboui Party; and Mr Lloyd George, M.P., whrspoke on behalf of the remnant of the Liberal Party. Mr Baldwin said it had been a labour of love collecting the offerings for the gift. Mr Lloyd George described Lord Balfour as “ a great patriot and a great gentleman,” and Mr Clynes concluded his remarks by saying, “ You may have political enemies; you have not a single political foe.” Lord- Balfour, in the course of his reply, said he felt deeply moved, and described the occasion as unique in the political history of the country. He referred to his association with the Prime Minister, and with Mr Lloyd George and Mr Clynes in the Government during the war. As for Mr Clynes, they were in the Government together for many years. “It is proof,” said Lord Balfour, “of the most vital principle of the English Constitution, which no foreigner can understand, that when they are brought together in the public interest they never get deflected from the main issue before them by the memory of ancient conflict or the impossibility of working together. That is the great secret of the paradox that in this country alone you will see the perfection of parliamentary government car ried to the pitch it has been.” In concluding, Lord Balfour said, “I am 80. I cannot take much more-part in public affairs, but I rejoice to think I see growing up younger generations, one by one, who instinctively follow the great example of their forefathers, and are predestined with undiminished, lustre to carry to future ages the glories of the British Empire.” The Earl of Bal four is a great Scotsman, and men of all shades of opinion are immensely proud of him.

Lo\e for the Homeland has always been a characteristic of the v Scottish race, and extends to their children and their children’s children. It was this lure of home which brought about 3000 Scots-Americans across the Atlantic this week in two of the largest vessels of the Anchor line—the Transylvania and the Caledonia, which dropped anchor at the tail of the Bank, opposite Greenock, on Thursday night. Each of these great vessels carried a complement of passengers composed almost entirely of members of the Order of Scottish Clans in the United States of America and Canada. The organisation was making its third biennial visit to Scotland. When the Transylvania dropped anchor at th’ head, of Loch Foyle to allow her Irish passengers—to land, she Was boarded by several members of the official reception committee from Scotland, most of -whom wore the national garb. These included

Mr Neil SJiaw, general secretary of the Au Coinunn Gaidhealach; Mr Angus Macdonald, Mr John H. Sinclair, and Mr Donald Currie. The Royal Chief of the Order, Mr Duncan Maclnnes, in an address at Moville to the welcoming, deputation, spoke of the high esteem in which Scotsmen were held in the United States, but said that only those who were prepared to work hard should go to that country. The two big liners lay off Greenock overnight, and were taken up the river to Yorkhill Quay in the early hours of the morning. Two pipe bands were in attendance, and the members of the Order of Scottish Clans were given a rousing reception as they emerged from the dock." Many spent only a brief period in the city, making their -way by rail and motor car to their various destinations in different parts of the. country. A small contingent remained, and in the afternoon there were received in the City Chamber by Bailie Dr Dunlop, in the- absence of Lord Provost Sir David Mason. The Royal Chief of the Order, in acknowledging the compliment paid the clansmen by the corporation, said that love for the ol.i land did not make them one whit th’ less good American citizens.

A fierce struggle is going on in the Scottish coalfields between the Moderate Party and the Communists. The result is that proceedings have been initiated in the Court of Session. The first action is directed against the National Union by a member of the Fifeshire Association, and in the other action interim interdict has been granted in the Bill Chamber in a note presented by certain members of the’Lanarkshire Association against certain persons who allege that as the result of a ballot they have been elected to the office of the association. The protracted struggle between the Moderate and Communist elements for control of the Fife, Kinross, and Clackmannan Mineworkers’ Association reached a climax on Saturday at the executive board meeting, held in Dunfermline. The board, by 25 votes to 24, decided to suspend the Right Hon. William Adamson, M.P., the general secretary of the association. The allegation levelled against Mr Adamson is that he voted for the postponement of the annual meeting of the Scottish Miners’ Federation notwithstanding the fact that he knew that his executive board was in favour of the annual meeting being held immediately. In the Socialist Government Mr Adamson was Secretary for Scotland, and acquitted himself with distinction. As a result of Mr Adamson’s suspension it is probable'that there will again be two miners’ organisations in Fife, Kinross, and Clackmannan. I am of opinion that the Communist ascendancy is only a matter of a moment.

An excellent work is being carried on by the Animal Diseases’ Research Association at the institute at Moredun, near Edinburgh. At a meeting held in the show yard of tlis Highland and Agricultural Society at Aberdeen the chairman, Mr Falconer L. Wallace, of Balcairn, Oldmeldrum, announced that a private individual had presented £lO,OOO to the association on the terms that the gift was intended to produce an income of £5OO per an uin from first-class securities. The donor intimated ’ that if the £lO,OOO were not quite enough to produce the £5OO per annum he would increase the amount to the sum necessary to give the £5OO. The income from the £lO,OOO is to be earmarked for the strengthening and increasing of the res'arch staff.

The enthusiasm manifested in the Celtic movement during recent years s unbounded. At present a Summer School of Gaelic, organised by the Education Committee of An Comunn Gaidhealach, is being held in Broadford School, Isle of Skye. It is devoted to the study of languages, art, and music. Teachers of eminence are conducting the various" classes, and the students reside in cottages in the vicinity of the school, where they have an excellent opportunity for improving their conversation with "their Gaelic-speaking, hostesses. Miss Lamont, of Knockdon, Toward, Argyllshire, is the honorary secretary, and the school continues for four weeks.

The “roaring game” is as popular as ever in Scotland, especially since it can be indulged in in all weathers under, cover. To be thoroughly enjoyed it has, however, to be played in the open on natural ice. During recent years, with our open winters, such opportunities have been rare. Curlers from all parts of. Scotland were present at the annual meeting of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club at Dundee, when Sir Henry Ballantyne presided. It was reported that during the year 23 new clubs had affiliated with the parent body. The Royal has provisionally accepted an invitation to send a team to Canada at the end of this year. It was agreed to extend an invitation to Swedish curlers to play in Scotland during the ensuing year.

Her. Royal Highness the Duchess of York is to visit Clydebank on September 28 for the purpose of naming and launching the fourth of the 20,000-ton Duchess liners for the Atlantic fleet of the Canadian Pacific Company from the yard of Messrs John Brown and Co., Limited. The new vessel is to be called 1 the Duchess of York. Her Royal Highness will be accompanied by the Duke of York. The Canadian Pacific Company placed an order a fortnight ago with the Fairfield Company, Govan, for a new steamer of about 27,000 tons, and which will

cost £1,250,000. "It *is believed the company intends to build another steamer of about 35,000 tons, and costing over £2,000,000. The Canadian Company since the war, have spent in Britain something like £12,000,000 in shipbuilding.

The Scottish-Australian delegation which recently visited the Old Country, in appreciation of what was done for them when in the capital, presented to Edinburgh a week or two ago a beautiful table made of Australian timber, and this has been followed by a cheque for £5O, which the chairman of the delegation, Mr J. D. M'lnnes, has sent to Lord Provost Sir Alexander Stevenson, from the members as a donation to an Edinburgh hospital. The money has been given to the Edinburgh Royal Maternity and Simpson Memorial Hospital. Lord Provost High, Dundee, has also received from Mr M'lnnes a cheque for £5O to be forwarded to a Dundee hospital. Provost Mac Ewan, Inverness, has received from the same source a cheque for £5O in aid of the funds of the Northern Infirmary.

_ Scots people of all denominations are very proud that one Scotsman is to succeed another as Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England. The official announcement is to the effect that the Most Reverend and Right Hon. Cosmo Gordon Lang, D.D., Archbishop of York, is to succeed the Most Reverend and Right Hon. Randall Thomas Davidson, G.C.V.0., D.D., as Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan. Dr Davidson is a native of Edinburgh, and Dr Lang is a son of the late Very Rev. Dr John Marshall Lang, C.V.0., D.D., principal of Aberdeen University and a former minister of the Barony Church, Glasgow, besides being Moderator of the General Assembly. Dr Lang had passed all the necessary examinations for the Bar before deciding to go in for the Church. He is an accomplished scholar and a brilliant speaker. The new primate is a bachelor.

Major Walter Elliot. M.P., Undersecretary of State for Scotland, who is a medical man, in declaring open the new dairy of the Northern Co-operative Society, Aberdeen, said a bottle of milk a day will do more to keep the doctor away from a growing family than a barrel of apples. The dairy, which cost about £lOO,OOO, can deal with 10,000 gallons a day. Major Elliot said he would go back and tell the people in the south 'hat before Aberdonians spent £lOO,OOO on anything they were con vinced they were on a good sound investment. and-it was worth other people taking a lesson from what they had done.

The Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle continues to attract enormous numbers of visitors from all parts of the world. On Saturday the members of the Order of Scottish Clans of America and Canada deposited beautiful wreaths, one of which bore the inscription: “ From the Royal Clan, Order of Scottish Clans, U.S.A, and Canada.” Another came from the Caledonian Club of New York. Members of the party also visited the beautiful Scottisli-Aineri-can Memorial in Princes Street Gardens, and the Lincoln Memorial in the Calton burying ground, and deposited wreaths. The more frequently one visits the National Memorial the more is one impressed with its simple magnificence.

Mrs Lucy Evelyn Murray, of 15 Eaton square, London, S.W., and late of Polmaire, near Stirling, whose death I noted some time ago, has left estate valued at £135,052 gross. There is a bequest of £lu,ooo to the Roman Catholic priest at Cowie, near Stirling, for a Roman Catholic church, to be dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Among the other bequests are £5OOO to her maid, Harriet Myerscough, and £lOOO to Cardinal Bourne, with a further £lOOO “ requesting he will say Masses for my soul.” The residue of her estate Mrs Murray leaves to certain Roman Catholic institutions in and near London.

King George is going north to Balmoral on August 16, and is to remain in Scotland for about seven weeks. Queen Mary is to join his Majesty on September 4. Thr King and his consort are very fond of their Highland home and the comparative freedom they enjoy there. Other members of the Royal Family, will visit their Majesties during their stay at Balmoral.

Some time ago the promoters asked the Duchess of York to open the Nairn Harbour bazaar, but her Royal Highness was unable to be present on the occasion. The Duchess has now presented a-handsome solid silver jewel casket in rid of the harbour fund. The gift, which was sent with the best wishes of the donor, is of chaste and artistic design. Her Royal Highness is so popular that her gift to the bazaar is certain to realise a considerable sum.

Some days ago a, son and heir was born to the Marquis (and Marchioness of Tweeddale, but the child lived only an hour. Married in 1912 the Tweeddales have four daughters, but no son.

Viscount Haldane, of Cloan, Auchterarder, celebrated his birthday on Mondry, having been born on July 30, 1856. Hisjordship is not enjoying the best of health at. present. Lord Haldane has been twice Lord Chancellor—the last time for the Labour Government.