BOY SCOUTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 March 1928, Page 9

BOY SCOUTS

VISIT OF DOMINION CHIEF COMMISSIONER. General Andrew, Dominion Chief Commissioner for the Boy Scout Movement in N©AA r Zealand, was a visitor to Hawera during the Aveek-end, and on Saturday evening in the borough chambers met a representative gathering of the committee members and Scoutmasters of the South Taranaki troops. The district commissioner, Mr. F. W. Horner, briefly AA-elcomed General Andrew to, the district and explained that there Avould have been a much larger gathering, but for the fact that OAving tq: the late shopping night on Saturday so many of the committee members Avere engaged at their businesses.

General Andrew said, that he wished first of all to’ thank all those present for the fine work they were doing in assisting with the training of the future citizens of New; Zealand. The scout movement was undoubtedly rendering a splendid service in this way and those who’ were helping by serving on the troop committees were doing their part towards this end. He was glad to< say that citizens’, troop committees 'were now an accepted part of the scout organisation throughout the whole Dominion. No trqop' was rogestered without the backing of a citizens’ committee. In the new .rules and regulations, which had just been published, the duties of the committees were clearly defined, and he hoped that members would make themselves thoroughly conversant with the contents of the handbook. The last statistical returns showed that the number of scouts in the Dominion was increasing at -a. much faster rate than the scoutmasters. In the past the scoutmasters had been secured by inviting adult citizens to take over this work, hut this had only been partially successful. Tine. D’ominiovi executive was convinced that the onlj’ satisfactory solution for the provision of future scoutmasters was to l promote boys out of the troop. Every troop should have at least two. assistant scoutmasters and when the scoutmaster resigned one of these should he prepared to step forward and take charge of the troop. The cub. movement had also grown at a very rapid rate, and "was in many troops the most popular branch of scouting. The hoys were taken at the right age and in all "their games and cub tests the great ideal of “I will do my best’’ was being instilled into the boys.

The scout movement must produce practical results in the lives of the boys if it was to* commend itself to. the support of the community, continued the chief commissioner. Whenever he visited troops he always asked each hoy two questions : “What help haveyou given to your mother to-day?” and “Have you earned the cost Qf part of your uniform?”. He coulcl not lay too much emphasis on this aspect of scout work. Committees were sometimes inclined to spoon-feed the boys, hy providing them with their uniforms and various outings free of cost. If they were to train the boys in self reliance then they must begin early and encourage the boys to earn their pleasures or at least some substantial part thereof. The good.time that the boys were to get out of scouting was to be the result of their own endeavour and of the inherent joys of the games and exercises and other work of the movement. The committees and scoutmasters should find ways and means to enable the boys to eary money for their camps and uniforms, etc., by mowing lawns, cutting firewood and other legitimate means. At the. close of the general’s remarks several questions were brought forward and discussed and on tlie motion of the district commissioner, a very hearty vote of appreciation was accorded General Andrews for his visit and Ihis very interesting and helpful address.