JAZZ AND HIGHLAND DANCES.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18140, 3 October 1930, Page 9

JAZZ AND HIGHLAND DANCES.

1 1 (To the Editor.) Sir, —A member of the South Auckland Caledonian Society, at a recent meeting, raised the point that jazz steps are being introduced into Scotch dancing competitions, and it was suggested that the attention of teachers be drawn to this and to the fact that points are being lost at competitions through this practice. This matter was also mentioned and discussed at the annual meeting of the Stratford • Soottish Society when Chieftan Rod Mcßae delivered himself of some cogent home-truths in regard to the deterioration of the historic Highland dances, and the careless manner in which competitors and others wore Highland dress at annual gatherings and sports. Ghieftain Mcßae said he ■had always made it a point at any sports meetings at which he acted as judge to insist that competitors in the dances should be correctly dressed. Some of the steps now being introduced into the Highland dances he said, were nothing but French ballet steps, and they were being tolerated by some of the judges. A French step had been introduced into the sean |triubhas; the Sailors’ Horn-pipe to-day was not really the horn-pipe, and the Irish Jig was now practically a ballet I dance. If the societies desired to uphold the old traditions they should set up a standard and insist on correct dressing, and that the national dances should not be mutilated for the beneflat of a few pot-hunters. These pothunters, it must he admitted, were coming from Scotland; but why were they introducing foreign steps? He would be glad to hear any good reason why the innovations should he made. Present-day tutors were only too ready to tell parents that their children were fit to appear on the stage. It was painful to find sometimes, that of twenty or thirty competitors in a dance, 25 per ! cent of them did not really understand ! the dance. They all liked to see the ' tartan flying, but did not appreciate it when the dancers were incompetent. Some tutors objected to the speaker t ordering them away from the dancing

stage, but he intended to insist always on their doing so. He added, ■ “ I want this society to assist to arrest this mutilation of the national dances and the desecration of the dress. I have letters from Scots in all parts of New Zealand congratulating me on the stand I have taken. If a tutor sets up in a town there should be one competent person to determine whether he or she is capable of teaching the national dances. Too many people set up as tutors who have no solid grounding in the dances they are supposed to teach." Mr W. Power and others thought Mr Mcßae should have the fullest support. If all judges could be induced to follow Mr Mcßae’s lead, the tutors would soon fail into line. My executive feel so strongly ir this matter, which-is one of tradition, history and nationality, that every possible means will be employed to counteract the unfortunate corruptior and they now appeal to teachers tc co-operate with them to preserve the true national characteristics of Scottish dances and believe that now that the danger and corrupting trend have been pointed out, all teachers will appreciate the viewpoint and heartily and readily support our protest.—l am, etc., J. GILBERT. Hon. Secretary, ; South Caledonian Society.