SAILOR AND LANDSMAN

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 110, 10 May 1923, Page 3

SAILOR AND LANDSMAN

MAINTENANCE OF EMPIRE

VALUE OF SEA-SCOUT TRAINING.

i In the activities for the advancement of the Boy Scout movement in the Dominion attention ig being paid to the Sea Scout side of the work. BrigadierGeneral A. W. Andrews, who is paying a visit to Wellington in connection with the movement, is very anxious that the Sea Scout branch should be developed and that the public should become better acquainted with the- objects. Sea Scout training, jt is pointed out, ia not meant as a recruiting system for either the Royal Navy or the mercantile marine. The Dominion Council of Boy Scouts has purchased boats for each centre, with a view to re-establishing the Sea Scouts on a proper basis. The matter was discussed at a meeting held last evening for the purpose of going into the whole question of the future policy of the Boy Scout movement in New Zealand. "We believe, with His Excellency th© Governor-General," states General Andrew on the subject of Sea Scout training, "that the sea is our life. By its use the Empire is maintained. If we neglect it, the Empire will perish. And, if we come down to hard facts, we believe that the safety, prosperity, the very existence of the whole Empire— Mother Country and Dominion, Motherland and Commonwealth—depend on every man being more or less a sailor; 'more' that he may be prepared,-if called upon, to do his duty, affoat, 'less' that he may have sufficient knowledge of the sea and ships as a landsman to do his duty in maintaining his country's interest in the sea and. sea affairs. "In the number and efficiency of our Sea Scouts we are desirous that New Zealand shall set the example, and march in the van of the family of nations which constitute the British Empire. Wellington is woefully behind in tin's respect. Wherever water and population facilities exist—Wellington, Petone, Levin, Porirua, Evans Bay—we want hundreds of 'boys to don our sailor's uniform and to acquire those habits of self-reliance and team work for which our sailors are renowned all the world over. "Whilst recognising the supreme im- -| portance for our islanders to keep in touch with the sea and sea-going affairs, we have no ulterior object. We are not attempting to provide a recruiting ground for the Navy. We are endeavouring to lay the foundations of a better and happier citizenship. We are ever on the alert to practise helpfulness to others, service to the community, and cheery self-abnegation. Respect plays a prominent part in our work —respect for one another, for parents, for elders, for employers, and for those in authority. Loy- I alty is not overlooked; Scouts must be loyal, not only to the King, but to everyone above and below them, whether officers, employers, or employees; and they must learn to stick to them as a part of their duty. A Scout must obey orders cheerfully and without question. Anyone in the Scout movement who finds it irksome to be loyal or obedient is no Scout, and is bettor fout of it. "Our Sea Scout training is not train-ing-ship work. We take the boys at any age over twelve, and we ask them to make the river, the sea, or the lake their playground for their spare time and holidays. A boy under a good scoutmaster, assisted by retired sailors, who puts in three or even two years in a Sea Scout troop is certain to acquire some of the handiness, resourcefulness, pluck, and discipline of the British sailor. These qualities are a form of character education, and are certain to be of great value to the boy in after life, whatever profession he adopts." • In order to place., the Sea. Scout branch of the movement on a solid foofTng in Wellington, the local authorities are calling a meeting of all boys'who are not already Boy Scouts and who have a love for the sea. Last night's meeting in the V.M.C.A. Rooms was attended by local scoutmasters and assistants and representatives of the Petone and Hutt troops. Tfie Chief Commissioner (General Andrew) outlined the future policy, based upon the rules and regulations of the English constitution. The effect will be that the movement in New Zealand wilT be along lines identical to that in England. ■ ' I