BOY SCOUTS' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17747, 26 April 1923, Page 5

BOY SCOUTS' ASSOCIATION.

DOMINION COUNCIL. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Dominion Council of the Boy Scouts' Association was opened on Tuesday in the Provincial Council Chambers, the Dominion Chief Scout, his Excellency the Gover-nor-General presiding. The following were also present:—Dominion chairman of the executive, Brigadier-General C. W. Andrew, C.M.G.; Chief Commissioner, Colonel P. C. Fenwick, C.M.G.; Chief Scoutmaster, Lieutenant J. Hines, R.N.V.R.; Commissioner for Training Scout Officers, Eev. P. Carrington; members of executive, LieutenantColonel F. B. Creswell, Y.D., Messrs H. T. J. Goodman, L. M. Isitt,, M.P., H. Herbert Smith, "W. T. Charlewood, and Eev. \V. H. Orbell; members of Council, Colonel E. Young, C.8., C.M.G., D.S.O. (Christchurch), and Major W. T. Tatuni (Manakau); Commissioners, Mr E. C. Grigsby (Auckland), Mr A. H. Chadwic-k (Dunedin), Mr H. A. King (Gisborne), Dr. W. D. Stoney Johnston (Nelson), Mr 11. A. Innes Jones (Timaru), Rev. D. J. Campbell (Wanganui), Mr Ernest Hassall (Waimate), Mr G. Lancaster, M.A. (Christchurch), Mr E. C. Milne (New Plymouth), Mr C. Roy Ayling (Stratford and Inglewood), Major W. B. Johnson (Hawera), Mr H. Donkin (Wellington), Captain N. H. Bellamy (Cambridge), Mr J. E. T. Slipper (Palmcrston North), and Major W. Sandford (North Canterbury). Apologies were received from Sir E. W. C, Chaytor, G.O.C. New Zealand Military Forces, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, the Mayor of Wellington. (Sir John Luke), Rev. D. Maddison (Ttiumaranui), Sir J. Wilson (Bulls), and Rev. W. Connolly (Matamata). His Excellency was met with a guard of honour composed of representatives of the King Scouts among the local troops, under Scoutmaster H. Froggart. President's Address. The president said he was gratified at such a large attendance, as he considered that the meeting would be one of the most important in the history of the movement. It was no use blinking the fact that the movement in the Dominion was not in a thoroughly satisfactory position. The Dominion was studded with the relics of dead troops. When one heard that troops had gone out of existence, one looked round for the cause of this. One of the reasons was that a Boy Scout Troop was generally a "one-man show." The speaker felt that the Scoutmaster should be given the support of others. In Australia there were committees of parents which gave valuable support to the Scoutmaster in charge. It was a big mistake to allow any such movement to become a "one-man show.'' Other men should be trained with a view to their being able to take charge at any time. He realised that in the Dominion there was a difficulty in getting not only assistant Scoutmasters, but also Scoutmasters. Such men, unfortunately, did not grow' on bushes. All honour to those who were prepared to devote so much time towards benefiting the youth of the Dominion. Unless Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters came forward, there was a danger that the movement would die out. Another need for the keeping alive of the movement was good propaganda work. In this connexion the Press of the Dominion was invaluable to the movement. It might be possible, too, to get lecturers to deliver addresses 011 the Boy Scouts in different centres. If bodies like tho Rotary Club and the New Zealand Luncheon Club took up the matter, the movement might be benefited to a considerable extent. He realised, too, that the financial position was one which had to be considered carefully in respect of the future of the movement. Local associations did not like to collect for the Dominion headquarters. He had heard the complaint made that it was often hard to get a reply to correspondence sent to headquarters, and that vists from the representatives of the Council were few and far betwen, one troop not having had such a visit for eight years. A third reason given for the backwardness of the movement was too much centralisation. These views, however, were not his own. He regretted the .decline of the Sea Scout movement. - Some troops did not seem to be progressing as they should be, while others j were going out of existence altogether. As a sailor himself, he much regretted this state of affairs. Some time ago he imported a silver trident from Home as a trophy to be competed for annually by the Sea Scout troops of the Dominion. unfortunately that trophy was still locked up in Wellington. The conditions of the competitions had not been decided, which he regretted, and the number of such troops which might compete was disappointing. He considered that the Sea Scout movement was a very valuable one, especially as it gave boys such good training. It was no use expecting Britain to furnish all the men for the Navy and the mercantile marine. Sooner or later the Dominions would have to take their share, and one of the best meats to inculcate a love for the sea was tHe Sea Scout movement. There was one troop, however, which was a magnificent troop. This was the Devonport Troop, which had accomplished some really valuable work. Referring to the proposed visit to Britain of a Dominion Boy Scout Troop, he expressed the hope that such would eventuate, being of the opinion that the trip would give a greater stimulus to the movement. He was glad to state that he had found at least one Scout record in the Dominion. This was at a little place ; Makaroa, Central Otago, where he had I recently been deer stalking. There were about 40 people in this settlement, of ; whom six were, boys, all of the latter j being Boy Scouts. If such a spirit j were to permeate the Dominion there would be a magnificent response to the movement. Statement by Chairman of Executive. The meeting then went into committee to hear the statement of the Dominion chairman of the executive. j It was reported that the following motions had been carried in committee: — 1. That we record our hearty appreciation of the statements made in committee, and the work done by the chairman of our committee, BrigadierGeneral Andrew during the recent serious crisis, and that we pledge ourselves to do all in our power to promote and advance the Boy Scout Movement in our Dominion. 2. That a vote of thanks be accorded to the ex-Dominion Chief Commissioner, Captain D. C. W. Cossgrove, for his past services. Election of Officers. Brigadier-General Andrew was reelected chairman of the Council, and the Eev. W. 11. Orbell and Messrs H. S. J. Goodman and H. Herbert Smith

were re-elected to fill vacancies on the Executive Committee.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The fifteenth annual report stated that, in order that all Scouts in New Zealand should be represented at this meeting, the executive decided to inj vite the Commissioners from all the old provinces who had not yet conformed with the decision of the last meeting; but trusted that, by next year, they would have been successful in forming their local Associations, thereby coming into line with the rest of the Dominion. It was regretted that the annual reports of strength as requested by Headquarters from Local Associations appeared to be in some quarters totally ignored. Without these reports how could Dominion Headquarters furnish the information required for the New Zealand section of the Chief Scout's Empire Reportf Surelv it was not too much for a Commissioner to furnish the information required. Registrations received at Headquarters during the year totalled 2210; but it was felt that there were many more Scouts in ' the Dominion still unregistered. At the last meeting it was unanimously decided to hold a Dominion rally at Christchurch. Every effort was made to bring it about, but it was eventually —with extreme regret —abandoned, owing to the poor response from almost all parts of the Dominion. The executive had .pleasure in reporting, however, that a North Island rally was held at Palmerston North, and it congratulated all those who worked to bring it about, and who participated in it. With a view to obtaining a greater number of highly skilled Scoutmasters, the executive appointed a Commissioner for the training of Scout officers, with the idea of preparing specially selected Scoutmasters from-, different local Associations for examination for the Wood Badge. Fourteen officers undertook the theoretical part of the course, and their efforts were regarded as very satisfactory. It was intended to hold the practical pait of the course —similar to England's Gillwell Park course —at a camp in Christchurch last Christinas; but, although the executive heartily concurred with the idea, it was very reluctantly compelled, almost at the last moment, to abandon the camp owing to the desperate financial position. It was most unfortunate that this part ot the course could not be accomplished as anticipated; but the executive had not abandoned the idea of carrying out the "N.Z. Gillwell" at a later date, when funds permitted. With reference to Sea Scouting, the report stated that this part of the Association's activities had shown a considerable advance during the past year, notably in Canterbury, where the Canterbury (N.Z.) Branch of the Navy League generously gave £SOO for the furtherance of Sea Scouting in this district. The donation had been utilised to purchase a training or parent ship, in the form of a two-masted schooner, which had been re-named the "Sea Scout," and was moored in the Estuary at Redcliffs, near Christchurch, and was at the disposal of all the Sea Scouts in Canterbury. The hold had been converted into a training hall, and she was fitted with electric light, hammocks, cook house, etc., so that Scouts were able to spend all their spare time aboard with advantage and comfort. In addition, the Association also acquired ships' lifeboats for the Canterbury and other Sea Scout troops, so the "fleet" now comprised one schooner of 125 tons, and 18 lifeboats. Sea Scout troops exist at Onerahi, Auckland, Opotiki, Kaglan, Napier, Picton, Kaiapoi, Sumner and Redcliffs, and Lyttelton. In order to further Sea Scouting in New Zealand, the Dominion Chief Scout (his Excellency the Governor-General) had generously decided to present a silver trident for competition among the various troops, and it was hopeu that this competition would be heartily taken up by all concerned. Attention was drawn to the fact that it was the equipment belonging to the Calliope Troop of Sea Scouts in Auckland, which was rushed to the Great Barrier solne months ago when the s.s. Wiltshire was wrecked, when all the officers and crew were safely landed, without casualty, by the aid of the Calliope Troop's breeches buoy. The Colonel Cossgrove Memorial, in the form of a handsome red granite headstone, had been completed during the year, and was an outstanding mark of the esteem and affection in which the memory of the late Chief Commissioner (Lieut. .-Col. Cossgrove) was cherished by the Boy and Girl Scouts of New Zealand. It was regretted that the aiiiount budgeted for at last annual meeting had not been forthcoming. Out of the four provinces, viz., Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, who promised contributions of £250 each, only one Christchurch—apparently made any serious attempt to meet the liability, consequently the Association was £730 5s 5d short? and the Government subsidy had been reduced by £SOO, leaving a heavy deficiency on the estimates. A perusal of the balance-sheet would indicate that the Finance Committee had been considerably perturbed at the prospects, and had it not been for the keen interest displayed ;n the movement by his Excellency the Chief Scout in launching a newspaper appeal for funds, the executive was afraid the position would have been disastrous. An invitation had been received from the Chief Scout to send a representative body of Scouts from New Zealand to England in connexion with the Empire Exhibition to be held in 1924. The committee had had the matter under consideration, and had decided to approach the Prime Ministrf" to ascertain if he would assist in the matter; but, before making anydefinite announcement, it was decided to refer the proposal to this meeting to give Commissioners an _ opportunity of fully, discussing the desirability or otherwise of accepting the Unei

Scout's invitation. The balance-sheet showed proceeds to be £3255 5s Bd, the. P™cipal being Government subsidy, £500; dona tions and subscriptions: Auckland South £57 15s (3d; Christ-church, £2lB lis 6<i; Dunedin, £©s 4s 6d; Napier, £24 Is 6d: Timaru, £3O; n ng;imn, £29 10s 6d• Wellington, £lB6 13s id; Prince of Wales Film £23; . sundry donors, £387 4s lfr; Canterbury Sea Scouts. £7ll tion, £500: sundry donors £2ll 6s 6d. The expenditure nmmmted to 13s, leading a balance of £/021 12s 8d The principal items of expenditure were: Canterbury Sea Sc . o " -.oe 6d ; printing and stationery, £206 12 sd! rent, rates and salaries, wages, etc., £Bo4 7s 4d; loss on Scouts' Gazette, £177 8s 7d. Liabilities amounted to £96 7s Bd, and assets to Th ß e 49 re°port'and balance-sheet were adopted. Various Resolutions. In accordance with notice given, the following motions were carried: "That a letter be sent to the Imperial Council asking that the sower of withdrawing the Chief Commissioner s warrant be delegated to the JJ«mmon Chief Scout, to be exercised should he deem such warrant to be necessary. "That the New Zealand policy organisation and rules of the Boy Scouts Association be drooped, and that the nolicv organisation and rules of the English Bov Scouts 1 Association be forthe words 'Chief Sea Scout' wherever mentioned in the constitution, substitute the words 'Headquarters Commissioner for Sea Scouts. '•That the resolution passed at tnc last annual meeting by which Head-

quarters were to co-operate in the raising of th® funds for one another be rescinded, and that the general principles ior financing the movement at Home, as laid down in Rule 4 of the English policy organisation and rules, be adopted." His Excellency being otherwise engaged at the evening session, the chair was taken by Brigadier-General Andrew. The executive was instructed to enquire from the Imperial headquarters with regard to insurance of officers. Proposed Trip Home. The Rev. D. Campbell moved: "That, in view of the fact that an invitation has come to hand from Sir Robert Baden-Powell, asking for B:>y Scout representation nt the Empire Exhibition in London, falling due in Augus-t, 1924. an opportunity be given to each Island to send a troop of 24 boys, making a total of 48, with the nece.-sary officers attached." In doing so, he stressed the value that such a trip would be to the movement. The motion was seconded' by Mr G. Lancaster. A number of speakers drew attention to the cost the trip would involve, and the suggestion was made that the lads should work their passage Home. It was stated that the sum of about £IOO would probably be required in respect of each boy if their fares had to be paid. The chairman suggested that instead of boys being sent-, scoutnrii ters should be. given the chance of the trip, provided they were willing to undergo two weeks' training. Ho considered that this would be a good investment. The Rev, P. Carrington said that he would not support the motion because of the expense it would involve. The Council, as a matter of fact, did not have the money for the project. He liked the chairman's proposal. Mr L. M. Isitt moved as an amendment that the matter be deferred until the executive had time to make enquiries from the shipping companies as to what concessions they were likely to give, and what was likely to be the cost per boy while in England. The Rev. D. Campbell said that he would support the amendment, provided that the ,executive reported to th© various provincial commissioners not later than July. Mr Isitt said that the alteration would meet with his approval, and on it being submitted to the meeting the amendment was carried. Combating Vicious Teachings. The following remit . from the .Wanganui Association was moved by the Itev. D. Campbell: "That a Dominion campaign 'be organised with a view to giving publicity to the moral and ethical value of our movement, so that parents and guardians and th© public in general might be better able to appreciate the value of boy scout training in all its varied phases of character building and good citizenship." In doing so, the Rev. Mr Campbell said that, in view of the teaching that was being given in certain circles to the youth of the Dominion to the effect that it was wrong to be patriotic and to love God, it was necessary to take action. People should be made to realise, too, that the Scouts did not exist to teach boys to be soldiers. Propaganda should be published setting out the aims of the Scout movement. In seconding the motion, Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., said that, while he did not believe in the Scouts' Association being used in opposition to those who believed in the nationalisation of the means of production and exchange, at the same time he thought the organisation was justified in acting when those people taught lads that they were being subjected to wholesale robbery, and that the lads should adopt similar methods, meeting robbery with robbery and giving no more in return for their wages than would enable them to keep their positions. The Association recognised the need of inculcating pride of industry in a youth and teaching him to be a good citizen, and on these grounds alone was entitled to take up an antagonistic attitude in regard to the teaching of such vicious prin- ■ ciples as •he had referred to. In a recent number of the . "Maoriland Worker" there appeared an article which stated that the Boy Scouts : movement was a deeply and darkly ! designed method to open the way to imposing the most frightful conscript system ever imposed on a nation. Such was the definite teaching of this paper. It was necessary that the Association should make it clear that it was opposed to militarism and that while the training of a scout certainly tended to make a lad a better soldier, such was not the aim of the training. The motion was carried. • Question of Headquarters. The following remit was considered from the Auckland Association: "That the 'Dom'irfion headquarters of ,thie Boy Scout Association of New Zealand be transferred from Christchurch to Auckland." In moving the motion, Mr R. C. Grigsby said, as certain officers had been elected at the present meeting, his duty was a rather difficult one. The Auckland Association, he said, considered that the record of the Christchurch headquarters was one of fifteen years of mismanagement. For this reason it was considered in the best interests of the movement that headquarters should be removed to Auckland. Among the shortcomings of the Christchurch headquarters' officials he mentioned the inability to secure badges in reasonable time and the failure of the proposed Dominion Rally in Christchurch. The motion was seconded pro forma by the Rev. P. Carrington'. Mr Isitt asked how the Rally could have been a success when the Union Company were unable to convey the Sco ts from the North Island to Christchurch. Mr Grigsby replied txlat headquarters should have Iniown this in better time. Referring to the rapid progress that had been made in the movement recently in Auckland, Mr Isitt stated that it dated from the time General Andrew and himself had visited Auckland, and given the movement an impetus. The Rev. W. H. Orbell suggested that the fail-re of the Rally w:'s merely a red he'ring drawn across the trail. Mr Carrington said the reason th-? Rally failed was that the financial ;u----rangements for pooling the expenses proved impracticable. He reminded those present that the scheme had been approved bv the Councl. Auckland representatives themselves voting in favour of it. On being put to the meeting, the motion was lost by an overwhelming majority. Other Remits. Remits from various associations were carried as fol.ows: — Dunedin. —-"That this local Association notes with pleasure the growth of the Wolf Cub movement and respectfully urges on Head Office the necessity of fostering the movement, and olf prompt attention to requests for badges." Cambridge.—"That it be a recommendation to the executive that thev request the Government to raise the age limit of the Boy Scouts liable to. mint&ij training from 1-4 to 16 so that the Scout training may be ex tended to 16 years and thereby secure more lasting results " Christchurch. - "That Assistant Scoutmasters commissions may be granted to efficient Scouts who have served as Scouts for a period of not

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less than three years, at the age of 16." The following remit from Auckland wns referred to the executive: —''That a. proficiency test and badge l>e instituted for the encouragement of the interest of the youth of our towns in the care and re=poct for the public parks, domains, and gardens." The executive was instructed to request- the Fne-try Department to issue as snon as possible the conditions necessary to qualify for a proficiency badge. Chief Commissioner. The Rev. D. Campbell brought up the question of filling the position of Chief Commissioner. He looked to a lead from the executive in the matter. The chairman said that "while the executive had gone into the question, it had not yet come, to a decision. It might be that the Comniif-sionership should be an honorary position, as was the case in Canada, or an oiganising commissioner might be appointed. Ho conld assure those present that in future it would be seen that there would be no misunderstanding regarding the duties of a Commissioner, as had been the case in the past. The Rev. P. Carrington entered into a statement regarding the status of the ex-Commissioner, but was ruled out of order. - After considerable discussion, it was decided that the chairman should perform the .duties of acting-Chief Commissioner until the next meeting of the Council. .. Q The meeting adjourned until a.m. to-day.