The Boy Scouts.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17748, 27 April 1923, Page 8

The Boy Scouts.

As Domiriioti Chief Scout, his Excellency the Governor-General spolce verv clearly and candidly on litesda-y at the annual meeting of the Dominion Council. It would appear that the Association lids encountered difficulties which are by no means wholly financial. Those who oppose the Boy Scout movement on principle —because they regard it as militaristic and imperialistic in n bad sense—are not nearly so dangerous to it as those who approve of it without supporting it. Tlio Chief Scout is probably right in believing that tho chief handicap is lack of cooperation by parents. Tho ideal Scoutmaster is born u-nd not made, but with the sympathy aud support of fathers aud mothers any earnest- and intelligent leader will do valuable work. The Dominion can bo "studded with tho " relics of dead Troops.'' to quoi-e 137s Excellency, only because the parents and guardians whose boys wero the material of those Troops failed to recognise their responsibilities. If we think the movement worthy of the support we give it when wo permit our boys to join, we should count it worthy of that further interest aud co-operation without which ii tau only become an alien organisation to us. or else languish and die. There have, of course, been mistakes m the movement itself. Once or twice—hardly oftener, so l'ar as our recollection goes—it has been given out or suggested that the Buy •scouts exist- to counter Bolshevism. But of eotirso the movement lu.c nothing whatever to do vitli politico, if. as iiioso Ijeiiovo, Bolshevism is bitd citizenship, then the making ot' good citizens is a counter-offensive : but is an indirect result, aud any attempt to make it direct, would, be dangerous. Tho good Scoutmaster is the man who makes happy, healthy, alert lads and leaves the politicians to look after themselves. We do not think the Association need worry much nljout the '•Maoriland Worker" ao long as boys

are learning to be clean, truthful, reliant. and self-sacrificing. Good eitizens.liijj is the citizenship of good men and women, and those are not produced by propaganda. It is to be hoped thai; the present period of anxiety will soon pass. The financial position is critical; and it is unfortunately not a good time to look for Government a-siiitance. lint the finances "ill right themselves if the community at

large recognise tho Scouts as an organisation making for adolescent wliole-

somciK'ss und happiness, and support it accordingly.