SCOUTING IN WAR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 235, 5 October 1942, Page 2

SCOUTING IN WAR

DOMINION MOVEMENT

COMMISSIONER SPEAKS

"Scouting to-day faces the greatest difficulties since the foundation of the movement, but we owe it to the boys themselves and to the vision of a few wise and determined men that it is to-day one of the most powerful factors for the guidance of youth in the world," said Mr. J. R. H. Cooksey. Dominion Commissioner for training boy scouts, in adressing the Auckland Rotary Club at its luncheon in Milne and Choyce's reception hall this afternoon. He declared that, in spite of the many rival attractions which claimed the attention of the rising generation, the boys still wanted the scout movement and brought to it an unchallengeable enthusiasm which made it flourish against all opposition. Its progress was due to its basic moral code, which was simple and strong and acceptable to all creeds and classes.

Mr. Cooksey said he had been scouting for over thirty years and had seen the movement grow from strength to strength. Parents, educationists and the clergy to-day acknowledged that scouting and its methods were sound.

"The numbers in our ranks have steadily increased," he continued, "and new branches have been started. The latest is that of air scouts formed in Auckland. During the last war the people of Britain realised that boys could be relied upon if trained to take responsibility. There were some people who thought that in the present war the movement would soon fade away, especially when scout members were called to the forces, but our patrol leaders have proved themselves. Many troops are to-day run by these boys under the guidance of a parents' committee. Splendid national service has been done, and much more will be done. Many small services in which the identity of the movement is sunk to assist patriotic organisations are being carried on. Individual services in soldiers' homes in the form of good turns go steadily on."

Against the many difficulties of the past year the movement had made definite progress, Mr. Cooksey said. From all branches of the services came letters written by men who had received scout training, telling of the great assistance this had been -in their technical work. Many were engaged as instructors and in other responsible positions, but this alone was not the cause for greatest satisfaction; it was the moral support ( these men drew from their scout 'code to meet the temptations besetting them. Suitable Leaders Needed "In New Zealand crid scouts and parents are offering their services as scouters, and new troops are being started all over the country," said the commissioner. "The greatest problem is to keep pace with the boys' demands and to secure suitable men to lead them. This is indeed national service, for the greatest test for our nation is yet to come. It will be scouting's greatest test, and a moral one. The fate of nations will be in the hands of youth. We cannot delay the preparation. It is not for us to dictate the form which the edifices of the new order shall take, but it is our vital duty to put in the foundations of Christianity, strong and simple, so that the minds and spirits of our youth may work in harmony for construction and not destruction. Youth must be fit in mind, body and spirit, and scouting caters for all these needs."

Mr. Cooksey concluded by quoting Kipling: "Nations have passed and left no traces, and history tells the naked truth of it, the single, simple reason in all cases; they fell becaues their people were not fit."