IMPORTED OR LOCAL?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21325, 20 April 1939, Page 6

IMPORTED OR LOCAL?

Equipment for Scottish

Regiment

Discussion With Minister of Defence

By Tel egraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, April 19

A deputation representing the Scottish Regimental Associations of the four centres in New Zealand waited upon the Hon. F. Jones witli a request that the kilts and other equipment for the Scottish Regiment now being formed should be Imported from the Black Watch depot, Britain, instead ol being procured in the Dominion. Mr Jones said that the equipment should be manufactured in New Zealand, if possible, and he did not anticipate any difficulty in that direction. The deputation submitted that the kilts and other equipment could not be satisfactorily procured in the Dominion. The Cheviot wool used gave the imported kilts a different texture from those woven in New Zealand, and local designs and dyes were not entirely suitable. Neither the Glengarry bonnet nor the sporran could be made here, and the cloth used for the spats was not procurable, but it might be possible to make the hose in New Zealand. There were only 12 kilt makers in New Zealand and in addition the delay and cost of the local article would be much greater. Mr Jones said that they should get a New Zealand made kilt if they could. It was the Government’s policy to have manufactured in New Zealand as much as it could and he personally did not believe that there would be a delay of two years or even a year in equipping the men who enlisted. A representative of the Onehunga mills had said they could turn out tartan as good as that worn by the Black Watch, and there were Scottish people in the Dominion who thought it could be done.

Mr Jones congratulated the deputation on the enthusiasm of those associated with the Scottish Regiment, and said he wanted it equipped up to the standard of the Black Watch. Recruiting Mr Jones, commenting upon the action of members of the Star Boating Club in enlisting in the Territorials, said he appreciated the spirit which actuated them and expressed a hope that members of other sporting bodies would follow their lead. “From the training which the men associated with sporting bodies undergo and the importance of discipline and team work which is impressed upon them, such men usually f..e qualification of leadership which is so essential in a Territorial.”

More than 300 officers of all ranks and from all branches of the service in Auckland have intimated their willingness to rejoin the Colours, and have filed particulars of their service and qualifications with Captain HumphreyDavies, Dominion represen stive of the Officers’ Association, who has undertaken this initial voluntary duty to assist the defences of New Zealand. The Wellington Manufacturers’ Association carried a resolution welcoming the indication given by the Prime Minister that immediate steps are to be taken by fe Government to organise individuals and firms for the defence of New Zealand, and pledges the fullest support and co-operation of the association.