SCOTTISH TRADITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23380, 25 September 1939, Page 11

SCOTTISH TRADITIONS

DUNEDIN HIGHLAND RIFLES NINTH ANNUAL REUNION The traditions of the old members of the Dunedin Highland Rifles, the numerical strength of which is about 100, were revived at the annual reunion on Saturday night. The association has now been in existence nine years, and a lively interest is taken in the Dunedin Highland Band, and, more recently, in the Scottish Regiment. The function was largely attended and was most successful.

The interest in the old company taken by the assemblage was commented on by the chairman (Mr G. Waldie). The membership of the association was slowly dwindling, but there still existed in the unit that spirit of comradeship and co-operation which stimulated this fine organisation and the old company. The speaker said, referring to the war, that the majority of those at the function were a spent force as far as fighting for their country was concerned, but they were still eligible to be called on for special service. Those in the “ not class could only continue their daily' pursuits. “ The ordinary life of the people must not be disturbed,” said Mr Waldie. “ We must do our dutv to one another, to our country, our King, and afford every assistance to the British Empire in this, her great struggle for democracy and supremacy.” A NEW REGIMENT. ” The New Scottish Regiment,” was proposed by Mr F. W. A. Ciayton. He disagreed with the designation of the regiment—the New Zealand Scottish Regiment, which was allied with the Black Watch. Surely the authorities could have called it a Highland Regiment, which was recruited in the first place from the lawless districts of Scotland. It was called the_ Black Watch because of the colour of its tartan and because it was formed to preserve the peace. The Black Watch was recruited from gentlemen’s sons. The speaker traversed the historical associations of the Black Watch, and told how King George If. was so pleased with their hearing that he handed each man a guinea, which was in turn handed to

the gatekeeper. (Laughter.) _ Mr Clayton also spoke of several distinguishing features of the uniform of the 42nd Royal Highlanders. It was significant that recently the Queen bad been gazetted as its colouel-in-chief. It would be seen that the Dunedin Highland Rifles had traditions to uphold, and so had the newly-formed Scottish regiment. There would be no need to worry about the assistance that would bo accorded _ by the public of Dunedin to the regiment and to their leader (Captain R. D. B. Paterson). It was to be hoped that the new regiment lived up to the traditions of Old Scotland. He knew it would. Pleasure over the adoption of the Black Watch tartan as its uniform by the new Highland regiment was expressed by the chairman, proposing “ The Old’ Company.” This was the same uniform as the one of the old Highland Rifles. The practice of volunteering was commonplace in the days of the Highland Rifles, said the speaker, and he was certain they had the same atmosphere now, especially if the volunteers were of Scottish descent. (Reminiscences of the early days of the company were related by Mr A. Dempster, who replied to* the toast. He stressed the keenness of the old volunteers. . The system of volunteering in the old days was enthusiastically supported by Mr J. Wilson, who proposed “ Old Volunteers.” Those who joined were all the better men for it. Because of

the number of men who were being rejected, after medical examination, it was the duty of the Government to see about the physique of the youth of the Dominion. The services of Messrs J. W. A. Clayton and J. A. Arndt, the joint secretaries of the association during its nine years’ existence, were recognised by a

presentation to them on behalf of mcra« hers by Mr K. M‘K. Melville. The ceremony of addressing the haggis was observed with due ritual. Other toasts were “Our Patron” (Colonel A. Stoneham and the chairman) ; “ Absent Comrades ”, (Mr G. Ferens and Mr J. M'Pherson); and " The Performers (Mr J. D. Cameron),