“SHAMEFUL BEHAVIOUR”

Evening Star, Issue 23381, 26 September 1939, Page 5

“SHAMEFUL BEHAVIOUR”

GOVERNMENT AND THE SCOTTISH REGIMENT KILTED UNIFORMS GOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED Charges of Government apathy and shameful behaviour towards the re-cently-formed Scottish Regiment were made by speakers at a social tendered last night to the Dunedin Company of the Regiment by the Council of Dunedin Scottish Societies. Deep dissatisfaction that no kilted uniforms had been provided was expressed, while the denims in which the Christchurch and Dunedin companies had to parade were variously described as degrading as prison clothes. “ I think I should make reference,” said the president of the council (Mr P. Findlay), “to the disappointment we all feel that the regiment or companies have not been properly equipped with the Highland dress and accoutrements. If this had been taken up by the Government when we first moved in the matter over 12 months ago, we had reliable information that the kilt uniform and outfit could have been secured at a very reasonable cost from the Black Watch Stores Department in London.

“ I have recently been in Wellington,” Mr Findlay said, “ and I believe that there is still a chance that the regiment may he accepted for service as a unit, so I suggest that you all sit tight and see what happens. “ The Dunedin and Christchurch companies have been degraded bv having to drill in denims,” said Mr J. Caldwell, “ while the North Island units are at least given khaki uniforms. T do not think it is very complimentary to the Minister of Defence, whose homo is in Dunedin. This community has been shamefully treated by the Government, and it is no fmdt of the council that you are not dressed in kilts to-night. “A year ago, I told the Council of Dunedin Scottish Societies that the Government was apathetic in military matters,” said Lieutenant R, L. Bond, “ and I think it realises now_ that I was right. In all the dominions— Canada, South Africa, and Australia—there are Scottish Regiments, and New Zealand will he the only one that will not send a Scottish unit overseas. In my opinion that is going to cast a distinct slur on our country.” Mr A. M'Millan said that they were deeply sensible of the grave problems confronting the Government at the present time, but even so they were disgusted at the treatment meted out to the Scottish Regiment. The Government had quibbled and delayed taking action, and now that it was “ up against ” things he did not sec how the kjlts could be obtained. The denims in which the men drilled at present, Mr M'Millan described as “ little more than prison garb.” “ I hope that no one will get a wrong impression from what I said at a gathering of the Dunedin Highland Rifles on Saturday night,” said Captain R. D. Paterson, the officer commanding the Dunedin company. “ I was not misreported, but I am afraid that my remarks, taken from the context of my speech, may have created a wrong impression. I said then that I did not think the regiment would see service as a unit for the duration of this war. but 1 am glad to hear from Mr Findlay that there is still hope of the regiment being taken as a unit.”