THE HIGHLAND RIFLE.COHPS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1126, 13 May 1911, Page 3

THE HIGHLAND RIFLE.COHPS.

Sir,—ln a recent issue-tho. Jinn. Gco. Fowlds fays there is nothing to prevent the .Highlanders from wearing I lie kilt on privatb pantdes. Now, what dees lie menu by-tlmt? Dws lie not know that Mich parad.es are not allowed ,in Ihc King's uniform without special""permismoh from (lie officer comimiudin;, , the district. Another thine-that we are told is (hat General Godloy would lik-o (o wo a kilted battalion. and yet,(ho first tliin.? 1 ho dens is to try ]iis- utmost to knoric out what little bit of Scottish.sentiment there I is 'in this country. Now, if. the killed battalion Had" been provided for (here would have been none of- Ihisunp'lcasantiipss shown towards the general or the Defence. Department, .not. only by-- tlio Highlanders of the city, but by many others who'are in no way connected with the regiment. Again 1 would liko to ask why are those at the. head of this'business Irving to compare the case of Guards or tho Xnvuls with the Highlanders' uniform? Tho last-named not only have to stand up because, it is :i uniform, but also that it is Hie national dress of their country, and they can look b.iok to.years Rone by with nothing but pride and glory for the men ,who wore tho tartan kilt and who helped to make En?land >rh,it she is The Guards is ■ nut national—it is only n British soldier's uniform, and the same thins *u-

plies to Hip Navals, so I cannot sec whoro either can ho in I lie same position as Iho Highlander?. There is just one morn thing 1 would like to ask; that; is/lhi.s: The Hon, 000. Fowlds is staled to hav said that Uhm-p is nothing to ston the. Highland Regiment from taking delivery of ihe, kills that arc now lying in bond on (lio wharves. "Will lie, as Miiiisler for Defence, (jive tho necessary orders to tho Defence Dcnarlment, and wo will very smii wear jliem? And. another thing, in all armies in (he world except New Zealand a man is allowed lo enlist in any regiment, (hat if, providing he is lit fo't service. So why ran it not be the i-ame in this country? Also, why can not (h< live Highland companies lie joined toRether so as to form a Highland battalion, with a depol in Iho four cities, for they could easily be attached to t!ir> local re", pimenl and do some Rood work tlm fame as ilipy have done in the nasi.— l am,'ore,' 731h RF,GT., Q.0.8.C.H. ',