NOT A MILITARIST MOVEMENT

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14658, 6 May 1913, Page 8

NOT A MILITARIST MOVEMENT

The cablegram from London containing the views of Mr J. A. Pease, President of the Board of Education, regarding the Boy Scout movement, was brought under the notice of Mr H. S. Goodman, District Commander of the I Boy Scouts' Association, by a "Press" reportei yesterday. Replying to a deputation, Mr Pease said:—"l am anxious that no militarism should be associated with the elementary schools. A certain number of parents fear this, and I think that there is some justification for the feeling that it is merely a military movement, in. order to secure compulsory military service throughout the country." Mr Goodman stated that in New Zealand there was a certain feeling, particularly in Labour circles, that tho Boy fecout movement was associated with the military movement. As a matter of fact, it whs not so at all, for the whole basis of the movement was citizenship and good character, lne military element was simply there for the purpose of keeping the boys together, for with -a -mass of boys "there must bo a certain amount of drill to enable them to be moved about together. The uniform of the Scout was not a military uniform, but it was very suitable and comfortable for field work and might bo adapted as a military uniform for Cadets and others.

Mr Goodman quoted the following clause from the Boy Scout regulations, to show what the aims of the Boy Scout Association were: —"The aim of tho Association is to develop good citizenship among l>oys by forming their character—training them in habits of observation, obedience and self-reliance —inculcating loyalty and thoughtfulness for others —and teaching them services useful to the public and handicrafts useful to themselves. The Association has no military ox political aims."