DOMINION SCOUTS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14525, 29 November 1912, Page 3

DOMINION SCOUTS.

To »«t the Canje tbove reno^vs, To live the gnmc beyond the prize. To honour, while you strike linn <iov.-fl, The foe that coma with feariese ere». To cotin: the lif-j of battle froc<l, Ar.d dear tho land that travc you birtn, And dearer yet the brotherhood* That bitda the brave of ail <he earth. —Newboit. (By Vjcilast.) Mr St-ebh:n». Commissioner for Auckland, writes to thc Chief Scout in a very pessimistic manner of tho condition of the movement in Auckland at present, in consequence, he says, of the non-recognition of our organisation in the new I>efence Act. fie says: ''lln-re js among many of the Scoutmasters a strong feeling that combined effort- throughout the Dominion would have resulted in some recognition by the State of our movement. "That wo have lost considerable ground m consequence of this evident lack of combination is only too true, and perhaps afreets this district more than any other. If you compare the cadet prize money collected in Auckland with the amounts published as having been subscribed in "Wellington, and Christ church, you will have some idea of the feeling of these in Auckland in the matter of s;ipix>rting tho Fcheme of attracting boys to the senior cadets. Again, there :s unniistakablo evidence that we may expect under present conditions, little or no consideration from the Defence authorities. I need hardly go int-o details, but let it .suffice to pomt out that instruction in some of the branches of our work which was formerly available, and which the boys found mast attractive has been sinee'the announced complete separation of tho movement, more difficult to obtain

V> c arc aiso going to suffer in the matter of boys qualifying for badges. The boys from 14 to IS arc those whom we find haves hitherto been keenest. The boys' up to that ago who are .still at school, have rightly to give their lessons lir.st consideration. After leaving school the winning of badges became a hobby in a sense, and tiie boys, instead of running about at nights, and wasting their time, studied for their badges. You will have noticed the failing-off ill this respect.

'■•Scoutmasters also feel that the average school boy who is under tho eye ol the schoolmaster is not so likely to drift, as the boy who has left school and has started in the world for himself. It is all very nice to put in week-ends with those boys who have a little time to themselves on Saturday afternoons, but this does not appeal to the average (Scoutmaster who knows that the majority of school boys prefer cricket, boating, etc., if thoso games are immediately available. With the bigger boys scouting is immensely attractive, as they can go on longer journeys, and generally find much that is interesting and enjoyable. But in nearly every case which I havo carefully enquired into, the same reason has been given. Tho Scoutmasters feel that the ground has now been knocked from under them, and 35 they are disheartened it is most difficult for mc to retain their interest."

Commissioner Stcbbing has always been a staunch, supporter of tho Scout-Cadet scheme, believing that tho scout training was more beneficial to boys of senior cadet age than to boys who wero younger. I think Mr Stcbbin.g is in error when he states that Scoutmasters are resigning because no effort wns made to have the organisation recognised in tho xmw Defence Act.

...It is those Scoutmasters .who hare become senior cadet- officers that are resigning, either because tho new cadet work lias alienated their sympathies, or because" the demands upon their time as cadft officers are ko heavy that they cannot afford time for their Scout troops.

I am convinced, too, that Mr Stebbing is in error regarding the attitude ol the Defence authorities towards the movement. General Godiey quite iecently informed Colonel Cossgrove that he approved of his officers accepting office and assisting the Scouts, and fiom my own experience I know that many of the permanent staff officers aro at the present time assisting as instructors and examiners throughout tho Dominion.

From every other part of the Dominion there come good and encouraging reports of interest and enthusiasm and of. the formation of new troops, especially among schools where junior cadets formerly existed. I trust that the present dark cloud will soon be dispelled, and that a new lease o! life will be taken in Auckland, as has been the case in so many other juaces lataly.