Scout Movement in South Africa.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 August 1912, Page 4

Scout Movement in South Africa.

" UIRESI'OXS 113LE COLONIAL no vs." The Xata! Witness publishes an article irom its Johannesburg correspondent on the subject- of the Scout movement- ui the- Transvaal. He says I lie greatest difficulty they had to contend with was the irresponsibility and indifference of the average colonial boy to the duties of life. His sole aim was to be a nigger supervisor.'' According to the Johannesburg Mail, the above is a sample of the ''straight talk" for which Captain Bleksley has been responsible during his trip through the Eastern Transvaal in connection with the JJoy •Scout movement. He addressed a meeting and conducted .special inspections at Lydenburg, Barberton, and Middelburg, and in each ease explained the objects of the Scout movement, at the same time- pointing out the, inlluencie it would have on colonial cit-izeil-ship. j The idea of the Scout movement, he explained to them, plainly was t-o 'make good citizens of the hoys; to teach them to fear God, honour tlio King, and do their duty t-o their neighbour. i Applying this explanation to South African conditions, he commented adversely on the fact that hoys grow up here expecting the kafir to wait upon them hand and foot, whereat the Scout movement would teacli them to he independent of the kafnj. Since his return from his tour of .inspection, Captain Bleksley has putin a. report, which draws attention . fr> two main points, firstly, the spread of he Scout movement among Dutch boys in the country, districts, and. secondly, the necessity for the movement in the country being brought more closely into tench with headquarters.