A SCOTSMAN’S FARE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3525, 16 May 1912, Page 3

A SCOTSMAN’S FARE.

A’ JOCK TAMSON’3 BAIRNS. JOIN IN A TYPICAL BREAKFAST The spirit of the Highlands made itself manifest at tiic Piccadilly Tea . Rooms yesterday morning, when,, the Poverty. Bay Scottish Society entertained the Prime Minister (Hon. T. Mackenzie) at .breakfast. The tables were artistically decorated, and the very breath of the “land of heather hill” could he felt in the spacious dining room, aboutwhich tartan was profusely displayed and sprigs of heather were distributed on the tables.

Dr. Porter (President) was in the chair and the guest sat on his right, the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister for Public Works and Native Affairs, being on the other side. There Were also at the principal table, Mr. John Townley and the Rev. W. Grant, Chaplain to the Society. The Prime Minister was ushered in’ by the skirl of the bagpipes, Piper McIntyre paying the guest a high compliment by adorning his pipes with the tartan of the Mackenzie clan. The chaplain opened the meeting devotionally.

The menu was typically Scotch, and supplied a truly enjoyable Scotsman’s feast. It was prefaced by a verse of Robbie Burns’— “Some lia’e meat and ctinna eat, And some wad eat that want it.

But we lia’e meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord by tliankit.” Breakfast over, Dr. Porter welcomed the Prime Minister, in the course of an eloquent address. He considered himself highly honored at being called on to preside at a function of welcome to his follow countryman, the Hon. T. Mackenzie. They had entertained him at breakfast as a diversion to the hurly-burly of politics, and first because like tlie rest of them, he was one of “Jock Tamson’s Bairns.” Proceeding, the speaker touched humorously on the several faults usually allotted to Scotsmen. It was said that Scotsmen were clanish, and they did not. deny the soft impeachment. They were clanish, had been clanish, and would be to the end cl the chapter. Scotchmen were said to be mean, and it was said that a Scotsman “kept the Sabbath and everything else he can lay his hands on.” But lie did not- agree with this and, by means of a good story, endeavored to illustrate the shrewdness, rather than meanness, of his countrymen. No good thing could possibly come out of a land that so many rascals belonged to. . Setting aside the jocular strain, Dr. Porter said that everyone must agree that Scotland had done her share in supplying men. who had taken their places in the highest ranks in all parts of the world. (Applause). One only had to look a little way back and the list of names showed what Scotsmen had done for the world. Transit across the sea, for instance, could never have been at the present advanced state, but for the work of James Watt, in connection with the production of the steam engine. Lord Kelvin had performed winders in perfecting the mariner's compass and other marine .instruments and then there were the shipbuilding yards on- the Clyde. But for these things our New Scotland, over the seas, could not be so closely connected with the Motherland. In his own profession, he might mention iS'ir James Simpson, who had introduced chloroform. In the ranks of scientists and statesmen, and in every other rank, they would find Scotsmen taking their part, and, after all, that was a man’s duty. Unfortunately, they looked ■back cn the old land with a certain amount of regret, because the land was being depleted of so many of its natives. She was sending forth her thousands every year to new lands. New Zealand was getting a good many of them and Canada a great deal more. ; Over the seas, Scotland lead great sons, men occuping the highest positions in the new lands, like the guest, as head of the Government. He was in his position because he had Scotch blood in his veins. -(Applause.) The Doctor concluded by again extending a hearty welcome to the Prime Minister. Th 3 Premier Responds. On rising to respond, the Prime Minister was most enthusiastically received and, when the applause bandied down, expressed his deep gratitude for the welcome accorded him so eloquently by Dr. Porter. He ai.y> thanked the piper for adorning his pipes so appropriately. The gathering made -him believe himself in Southern New -Zealand. He had the pleasure of being associated with the Otago Gaelic Society as chieftain. It was gratifying to be amongst- those ot Celtic blood, for it encouraged him and such gatherings inspired and stimulated one for the work to be carried out. Turning to the subject of Scotchmen and their abilities and grit, the Hon. T. Mackenzie said it was an acknowledged fact- that the Scotsmen usually managed to ‘warstle’ through. There was ,indeed, some grit in “the land o’ cakes.” Dr. Porter had struck a sympathetic key when he referred to the depletion of Scotland, through the population migrating to other lands. This depletion would not- end until it was realised in the Home countries that the land laws were -based on false -political economy.- This was causing people to leave England, Scotland and Ireland. One could not help admiring the men ancl women who had had the grit to come- out to New Zealand. Look at the hardship they had to face. He. was four years of age when his parents landed in the country. The people in those days had to face the risks of the voyage- and the risks incidental to early colonisation. Although over the seas', they were members of the great Empire, to which they were all too pleased to belong. Ho had endeavored in his small, wav to imprint upon people in this country names that were dear in the Old Land. All over -Otago,'where ho had the opportunity, he had succeeded in having familiar Scottish names given to different places. He saw his old friend, Air. Townley, * still hale and hearty. (Applause). Air. Townley had once endeavored to have the name of Poverty Buy altered, and the idea was a splendid one, for the Bay was one of plenty and not ot poverty. He thanked all those- present for the great tribute from brother Scots. Long might they continue to transmit to their children a love of the Fatherland. This .would .keep the country together. If they were clanish, it was only to hind together the. people for the good of the 'National life. He again thanked them for their hearty welcome. OTHER- VISITOR S AYEL.CO A I ED. Air. J. R. Kirk delivered an address of welcome to all the other . visitors present, including the ITon. AY. D. S., MacDonald, the Mayor, and Mr John Townley. He eulogised these named above, stating that i.t was a pity that

the Mayor was born on the “bare green isle” across the. Channel. Mr. Townlev was a, good old, Englishman, of the best type. They all knew the Hon. Mr. MacDonald, and .knew him to be genuine and thorough. The Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, in reply, returned thanks for the kindIv welcome extended to him and the Prime Minister. When people came to 'Gisborne they were treated right royally every time. They were enthusiastic. and good Highlanders and Scotsmen. Speaking of the Premier.. Mr. MacDonald said that his cmet had been loyal to the country and would bo loyal to all sections of the people of New Zealand. He (the speaker) was working in the best ipterests of all sections of the public in Poverty Bay. . • • . The Mayor (Mr. Pettie), said in a brief but ‘suitable speech, expressed bis delight at being present, and claimed to be partly Scotch, because ho was horn in the North 0,l Ireland. Mr. John Townley delivered a happy speech, during which lie touched on his early days in Scotland m 44

and ’45 Touching on the suggested changing of the name from Poverty Bay the speaker said : \\ hen iam suggest a change, who objected to it ? ' It was the Liberals. The Prime Minister: “They were Conservatives.” .y ' Mr. Townley said that it was the first time thev liad publicly breakfasted with a Minister. They had given -him a good breakfast, and expected something in return. (Laughter). The Prime Minister: “I think you must be a Scotchman. •’ The piper again played as die guests departed. - •