RECEIPT OF FIERY CROSS

Chronicle (Levin), 21 August 1947, Page 4

RECEIPT OF FIERY CROSS

SMALLER SOCIETIES IGNORED That those responsible for the itinerary of the fiery -cross were nio.t adhering to tradition is the . opinion of the chieftain of the Horowhenua Scottish Society, Mr. J. R. Macfarlane. Having landed in Auckland, the natural pro'gress of the cross should have been from society to society, and not just the . main centres. The. smaller towns. jyere being eompletely ignored, having not even been advised officially of the arrival of the cross or its probable route. . ■ . The Scottish fraternity in places ' tike Levin were just as anxidus to> 1 receive"" and honour this.* message v from the Lord. Provost of Ediniburgh as those in the main cities, 'and were naturally resentful of this, .oversight. , . - ' The cross should be sent by road to each society, which could be* given an opportunity to receive it and pass it on, possibly using its own transport. Societies with pipe bands could meet the vehicle and pipe it through the town. Thus it 'could travel a long way in a few hours. In order to maintain tradition, eontinued Mr. Marfarlane, it should complete the circuit by being returned to Edinburgh, to-, igether, perhaps, with a report of its reception in the various towns. If t was decided that it remain in the Dominion, there was the question of who should retain it. This was the first occasion in. which the Scottish capital had 'sent a "herald" to New Zealand; and it thus had historical significance. If it was eventually decided that the cross should remain here, should also be made available to societies for certain • gatherihgs and functions. The message from Scotland. was meant for all to see, and its "arrival had aroused considerable interest among Scotsmen here. So far the smaller societies had not even been officially notified of its arrival in the Dominion.