TARTAN RALLY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 30 June 1919, Page 6

TARTAN RALLY

THE SCOTS OF WELLINGTON MEET

ORGANISATION DECIDED ON

A successful and largely-attended meeting of the Scots folk of Wellington was held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday night to discuss the matter.of tho formation of a Wellington Scottish Society. The gathering was presided over by tho Hon. T. W. Ilislop, .who. in briefly explaining the purpose of the meeting, said that all -those present were agreed that the traditions of Scotland should be preserved. It was only 'by tho formation of such a society that success in this direction could be obtained, and the possibilities of such an organisation were only limited by the enthusiasm of the Scots of the city. In New Zealand the Scottish folk cuuld meet each other in a way' that savoured of the land of home. He went on to illustrate the spirit of the music and song of Scotland, and said that before Burns Scotland had songs all written. to bring about "brotherhood of inan. He wanted to see preserved the same impetus which arose and so many good results in Scotland. This could best be carried out by the formation of the Wellington Scottish Society. There wero a number of institutions which had their origin in Scotland, but it was felt that there should be one parent society which would have a controlling- influence over all subordinate societies. The object -of the meeting was< in no way hostile to t,he other institutions in existence. It was simply to bring .together all the societies at present in existence. He hoped that the meeting would recognise the need for such a union. ' - . „ ,

Mr. Alex. Campbell, Chief of the Scottish Society, said that his society was formed ten ortwelve years ago, but during the war period it was found impossible for the -institution ,ito do anything 'towards extending its work. Since the conclusion of hostilities it was thought desirable to create a society which would be worthy of the city, and to achieve this it was decided to seek the co-opera-tion of the other societies. 'Without desiring to create any spirit of rabid nationalism the society's object.would be to foster the love and study of, Scotland s art, music, dancing, pastimes, literature, poets,.and characteristics. There would also be an overseas section of the society, which would arrange for the meeting of new arrivals from the laud of brown 'heath and shaggy wood.. He trusted that the meeting would form a society,which would count for some influence in the citv. (Applause.) ■ The Hon. W.S. D. Mac Donald (Minister of Agriculture) said that however many different branches of the societies there were in the Dominion, it was necessary, when they were all out to achieve a common purpose, for them to come together It was a question of absolute unity. He believed that the conveners of the meeting' were moving along right lines, and he wished them every, success. v\lr • D M'Laren moved the following motion: '"That all present firmly believe that there' is a need for the establishment of one society for the ];ie<)plo ot Wellington, and one Scottish Federation for the whole of New Zealand. ln« mover held tho opinion that there weio too many societies at present, and people did not know which one to join. Such a society could inculcate Scottish national traditions and history into the young Kew Zealand Scots. The chairman asked whether there was anyone who desired tq opposethe motion, and Mr. J. Patterson mounted the platform and spoke on belia f of the nec tovi and members of the \\ ellington Caledonian Society. He said lie had not come with the idea of directly opposing the federation of the Scottish and Gale-, Honian Societies' in New Zealand, but hp did wish to oppose the federation of the "Wellington societies. His society was the largest in Wellington, and had a. membership of 250. f'lev did no want anyone but the best in this society. The next speaker was the Hon. J-. I*-1*-W Aitken- who also voiced the opiuimi fo°se.. their characteristics: by Mcssis. x. . "Reich. J, Darling, A. .Kinniburg, ■ w p M'Lauchlan, Si Hoffl! Captain The motion was seconded by Mr. i carried unanimouslj. iri f WoUin«ton Pipe Band rendered „ Z o selections, and dancing and other musical items/were also centubuted. ■