THE CRIMSON THREAD

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1929, Page 2

THE CRIMSON THREAD

ORIGIN OF THE PHASE. SYDNEY, June 6. The phase, “The crimson thread of kinship,” hhs been voiced so often, especially at Empire Day and other loyal gatherings, . and especially by gentlemen incapable themselves of what might be termed the filigree of golden phrasing, as to become a platitude. But how many people know the origin of the now historic and overworked phrase? A Sydney newspaper correspondent who professes to be acquainted with the circumstances attributes the phrase to Australia’s political giant of other days, Sir Henry Pnrkos.. The story, for what it is worth, is related because of its interesting link with the late Lord Rosebery, whose death recently recalled it. When Lord Rosebery visited Sydney, many years ago—be had a num-

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her of interests in New South Wales — he compared, in a notable speech, the feelings to the Mother Country of loyalty and of blood relationship to the small central red strand said to he found in ropes, cables, etc., manufactured for the British Admiralty. This red strand, so the story goes, is placed there for identification, and to guard against theft, or improper use oy unauthorised persons. I-ord Ihosehery- referred in his speech to the belief or superstition among naval men that, when this small central strand breaks the whole cohesion of the rope is at once destroyed. The story runs that some time after this speech, and with it in mind, Sir Henry Parkcs elaborated the idea, and coined the now oft-repeated phrase, “The crimson thread of kinship.” Tf, therefore someone drags the phrase out of his lepertory of catch cries, you know the story of it, assuming, of course, that it is correct.