SCOTTISH SOCIETIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 238, 2 July 1919, Page 8

SCOTTISH SOCIETIES

Sir,—ln answer to your correspondent, Air. E. G. Knoivies, 1 beg to state that tho membership of the Caledonian Society is not confined to total abstainers, not fl.ro intonding members questioned'm any way with regard to their privftto lifo and habits. But, Sir, wc demand that our membors, when appearing in public in tho kilt, or when attending any function of tho society, shall not by their behaviour disgrace the proud title- of "Scotsman" or lower tiio dignity of our Caledonian Society. Further, our func. lions are all open to our lady members, and are attended bv the society's dancers, who are mostly children. Surely J" l '- KuowUvi would not advocate drunkenness being permitted in their presence. The remark which Mr. Knowles objects to was made by me. I slated that our society was clean and wo intend to keep it so, and I mentioned tho incident to show that we are active in keeping it clean, also that we intend to administer the rules of tho society which have. tt> do with the conduct of members .reflecting on t.lie reputation of the society and tho credit of Scotland and thing Scottish. With regard to Mr. Knowles's remark about tho national heverago of Scotland, somo have tho idea that a Scotsman must necessarily be depicted as a rednosed man with a hot No of whisky in his hand. This is even rnpro unjust than tho exploded theory about -Scottish nwin" ness. In no place more than in Scotlanu is drunkenness looked down upon and despised. , , In conclusion, as your correspondent

admits that ho is not acquainted with the various Scottish bodies in Wellington, I would cordially invite'him to attend any of our functions or meetings,when he will see for himself the fruits of maintaining a high ideal.—l am, etc., J. PATERSON. Wellington, July 1, 1913.