SCOUT IDEALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 172, 24 July 1933, Page 9

SCOUT IDEALS.

NEED OF TO-DAY.

NEW SECRETARY APPOINTED.

ANNUAL REUNION.

Attended by nearly 150 scout and cub officers, the annual dinner of the Boy Scouts' Association, held at tli« Mecca Cafe on Saturday night, was the most successful yet held. Mr. W. J. Holdswortl), metropolitan commissioner, presided. The Girl Guides' Association was represented by Mrs. R, J. Coates, provincial commissioner, Miss A. M. Bergin, Dominion head of training, Miss M. Smeeton, divisional commissioner, Miss R. Roberton, district commissioner, and Mrs. Arroll, provincial secretary. Sir Joseph Smith, chairman of the Rotary boys' work eomniittee, was also present. In replying to the toast of " Headquarters," the metropolitan commissioner, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, said that there was never a greater need in the world to-day than for the application of scout ideals and principles. Lately they had been conducting the organisation at headquarters with the help of an honorary secretary, and although Mr. Alan Tribble had done much valuable work in this capacity, the needs of the movement demanded more than a man could give in his spare time. The time had come to launch out and show the general public what was really at the back of the movement. He was delighted to be able to announce that this would now be done through the appointment of a full-time organising and general secretary. Mr. J. R. I Middleton, whose services had been secured on terms most advantageous to the association, was just the man to fill the position, for probably in all New Zealand there was no active scout worker who could command such a deep knowledge of the principles and workings of the movement, combined with a sound technical knowlodge of all phases of practical scoutcraft. "The possession of these qualities alone would justify Mr. Middleton's appointment," said the speaker, "but when, to these, are added the attributes of an organiser and the diplomas of a qualified accountant, it is very apparent that a man of sterling qualifications lias been secured. Mr. Middleton's main work will bring him in contact with the general public, but I appeal to every scouter in the organisation to do his host to help him in every way." This announcement was received with wholehearted scout cheers. "There is more in scouting than the outside 'jublic dream of —something far too big for us to hide," said Mr. Middleion, in stating that his first task was pet the public behind the movement. That scouting had stood the acid test of time was proof that its foundations and aims were sound. He. stressed the point that the continued progress of the movement depended upon the fulfilment of the opening clause of the promise, which concerns duty to God. "Everyone in the movement has taken that promise, and unless we make that the guiding light of scouting we can never reach our objective," he concluded. He urged all to pledge themselves to greater fulfilment of their duty to the Great Pathfinder. Various other toasts were honoured before the party adjourned to a campfire, where the evening was spent in the singing of traditional songs.