EMINENT JOURNALIST

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 253, 20 July 1921, Page 9

EMINENT JOURNALIST

JOHN GEDDIE OF “THE SCOTSMAN” ATTAINS HIS JUBILEE A grout many Scots in New Zealand know or know of John Geddie, hi • nor, easaylst, historian, and journalist, who recently completed fifty years’ association with the staff of the Edinburgh "Scotsman." In honour of that record he was entertained on Saturday evening, May 29, the proceedings being reported as follow 1— To mark the attainment of his jubilee (is a member of the "Scotsman” staff, Mr. John Geddie was on Saturday night entertained at a complimentary dinner in tho Caledonian Station Hotel <y his colleagues. Mr. J, I’. Croat presided over a company of over thirty of the members of the editorial staffs of the

“Scotsman" end ■“Evening Despatch,” with representatives from the other de- ' partmenta. The company also included Mr. James Law, Mr. George Law, Mr. Alexander Geddie (Fochabers), and Mr. Liddell Geddie. Sir John R. Findlay , wrote expressing his regret at being unable to be present. . The chairman, in proposing the health of the guest, recalled the first time he entered the sub-editing room of the “Scotsman," and finding Mr. ’eddie sitting at one of the tables -hero, and the late Mr. Riach, another '•'■ardy sen _of the north, at tho other—ono taking charge of the outside world, and the other of Scotland. That was the equipment of the sub-editors' room as ho remembered it—a remarkable contrast with the conditions which obtained now. Mr. Geddie was' then working under Mr. Alex. Russel, tho famous editor of tho “Scotsman." His friendship with Mr. Goddio since then had been a constant one, and it did not tako fifty years to learn his very fine qualities. Tn that period Mr. Geddie had covered an extraordinary range of work. 'Vhat that work meant was, ho thought, tho greatest satisfaction a properly self-respect-ing journalist could have. The real reward that journalists like Mr. Geddie and the rest of them had was the honest consciousness that their work was ■ sinking into the lives of their fellowcountrymen.. During all those years their guest had been instructing and enlightening many thousands of people on all sorts of things, but especially in regard to Scottish lifo, Scottish questions, and Scottish influences. How many citizens in Edinburgh to-day understood the history, the romance, the poetry of thoir city the batter from the instruction they had had through his writings. In tho “Scotsman” offices, as they all knew, they had no pessimists during tho war. Mr. Geddie, under cruel conditions, was one of the most buoyant. During that time, in addition to his work in the office, it was his practice, several times a week, to get out early in the morning, and take a squad of Australians over the Castle, describing the buildings, and giving them an impression of Scottish history and Scottish character which had permeated many circles in the Dominion. That wag only one phase of Mr. Geddie’s work. Latterly it had been coextensive with, thq world. Place him on the Himalayas, at the To,os, or in Peru, and he was perfectly at home. They could not puzzle him with any geographical subject. They all knew his wandering proclivities. Go with him to some Highland mountain, whero a great picture spread out in front of him, and they would find ho knew as much about the countryside as any ghillie bred on the spot. The fine qualities which Mr. Geddie had shown during those fifty years had won him high esteem and a very large number of friends. There could bo very few Scotsmen indeed who had a wider range of friendship, whose figure was better known at the cottage, .the shepherd’s door, the farmhouse, or in the hall. They wished Mr. Geddie many years of continued health and vigour. (Applause.) . ~ , , , Mr. Geddie, in replying, said ho had to acknowledge their kindness and generosity, not only in gathering there that evening, but all through his time in "The Scotsman,” which had made it such a pleasant experience. He was extremely pleased to meet representatives of almost every department of tho paper, and he was exceedingly gratified to seo there his venerable friend, Mr. James Law, who was already an institution in tho office when ho came there. He did not think he had ever made an enemy, and he had never lost a friend. That might bo a confession of weakness, but he was glnd of it that night. He was proud to have been to some extent ths expositor of the thoughts and interests of a great Empire and a great country, and still prouder to have been part of a great institution, the growth of which was symbolised on the menu card', in tho contrast of the unpretentious premises in which it set out. on its career with the present buildings. That, evening would always bo remembered as a subject for gratitude, and an assurance that the feol- > Ings of affection which ho had for "The Scotsman" 'and, "Tho Scotsman” staff were to some extent at least reciprocated. Ho always retained also a love for the "Dispatch.” because he was at the beginning of it. Citizens’ Tribute. On the succeeding Monday evening a number of the leading citizens of Edinburgh entertained Mr. Geddie to present him with a testimonial of thoir esteem. This took the form of a bust of Mr. Geddie by Mr. H. 8. Gamley, 8.8. A., and a wallet containing Treasury notee to the amount of .£229. A dressing-ease was also presented to Mrs. Geddie. In making the presentation, Dr. Wallace Williamson said that there was no more kindly Scot on earth than John Geddie. In studying his face he had always been puzzled until ho discovered that Mr. Geddie had studied law in his younger days at Elgin. (Laughter.) He had continued his legal studies nt Edinburgh, and had there m4t Robert louis Stevenson, inn aciinaintanoeship which no doubt influomied him. Th* spirit of Stevenson had entered into him. There was no book which, gave thorn a hotter insight into the spirit of the old ballads than Mr. Geddie’s book on the subject. No ono could meet Mr. Geddie without loving him. It was their desire and the desire of ell those donors who were unable to be present to express their love nnd' their groat admiration for the place he had made for himself in Scottish lifo and literature. Their gifts represented admirers all over the world.

Mr. Goddie said that ho felt strongly the pressure pf emotions nnd memories. When he camo to Edinburgh in 18R11, the town was occupied with discussions on the Annuities Tax. It was wonderful to thing of the changes that had taken place since that time. In those days things seemed to tend towards division; now they seemed to be moving towards union. Tie could remember when the city ended nt Haymarket, and when Morningside was cut off from it. ■ As a. men from Elgin, his affheilions sometimea turned towards the magnetic, north. They sometimes also turned towards tho PentIftnds, towards the West Country, and towards every part of Scotland, where ho hnd rnnny friends nnd nssooiationn. Their pivot, however, was in or about St. Giles’s and the High Street of Edinburgh. (Applause.) lie considered it a remarkable proof rf civilisation that during the past fifty years lie had gone homo through tho streets of Edinburgh Into nt night without n single adventure. (Laughter.) Tzive and friendship were the two things that made life worth living. Ho could not help thinking of tho many true and hearty friends who hnd stepped over rhe 'tills with him nnd would have gloried in being present that evening.