BOY SCOUTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17948, 15 November 1918, Page 6

BOY SCOUTS.

(Contributed.) Scouts throughout the Dominion are joining with their brothers all over the world in 'rejoicing at the victory of Right over Might. Though the organisation neither approves nor disapproves of militarism, it teaches patriotism in its truest sense, hence its joy at the prospects of a lasting peace. The training wliich so many thousands of our boys received ae Scouts has been of inestimable value to those of them who answered the call of Empire, and the reports from officers on both land and sea are unanimously in praise of our soldiers who have been Scouts or Scout officers. Innumerable acts of heroism and self-sacrifice have been performed by our Scouts at the front, as well as acts'of brotherly kindness which will ever remain unrecorded in public, because the Scout regards it to be a duty to servo others without even the reward of praise. He has, however, the inward consciousness that ho has been of use to a fellow-creature, and that to a good Scout is the highest possible commendation. While rejoicing at the victory our arms has won, let our hearts go out in sympathy to those who have lost dear ones in the great fight for the freedom which the world will enjoy for many years to come, and let us remember to give thanks to God Almighty for giving us the victory, and for sustaining us through the dark periods of. the war, with the faith that He would ultimately crown our efforts with success.

There is a great future before us now, and, though it is difficult, to forecast what is likely to come, and still more difficult to lay down a definite scheme, yet it is certain that a wider field of work will be opon to us. The lessons of the war should make new things possible to us. There are many eyils in our midst which wo can combat, and many thingß_ to be done to raise our moral and religious standard, and help to make life better for those who come after us at any rate- We can holp to bring about a belter understanding between employers and employees, and thus prevent those miserable disputes winch occurred before the war. We can train the future em-

ployers to have a fellow-feeling for their employees, so that they, may be happier, and get a share of enjoyment just as surely as their more well-to-do brothers. The future workers can be trained to'.regard a fair day's work for a.fair day's wage as a religious duty. Sir Robert Baden-Powell, in his " Outlook " for September last, says: "Unselfishness, self-discipline, wider fellowfeeling, sense of honour and duty should bo implanted, and such attributes as enable a man—no matter what his standing—to look beyond his own immediate ledger or bench and see the good of his work for the community, putting into his routine some service for others as well as for himself, developing slso some perception of what is beautiful in Nature, in art and in literature, so that his higher interests may be aroused, and he may get *njoyment from his surroundings whatever they may be. These are points of which wo in tiie Scout movement can do much to imp-art the elements and tohy the foundations." - We now look forward with confidence to the return of many of our Scoutmasters, and to the consequent revival of interest among the troops, so "cheer oh" Scouts and Scout officers who have been " carrying on " under difficulties, carry on and keep carrying on. the night will soon be past and a brighter morn will dawn, for our great movement. '■ ,' ' . , On Tuesday, October 29, the Chief Commissioner completed his tour of inspection of the Dunedin and suburban troops by visiting ' the Mosgiel troop in their little clubroom. The Scoutmaster, Mr Gough, is very keen, and ho has his boys well grounded in the tenderfoot work. Ho was, however, somewhat despondent' because the good people of the town took little interest in his work. The Colonel told him that the.peopjp..could not be expected to take interest in a troop of whose existence many, knew nothing. Ho should let. the towhsirien see that his Scouts were " live wires," 'out to help in every goqd work, and from -a business point of view'it would be to their interest to help the troop,with both funds and instructors. " '"' ,

Tlie proposed lecture and exhibition of .Scout pictures in Christchurch next week has been postponed owing to the prevailing epidemic. Mr Salmon has boen advised by wire that no meetings will be bold till further notice.

I have received a complaint . from Captain Livingstone, area officer in Christchurch, that several of the Senior Cadets belonging to a Boy Scout band are neglecting their cadet , parades. This is a matter that Scoutmasters must attend to at once. It is a Scout's duty to obey the law of his country, and any. Scout who refuses to do so will be struck off the roll of the association. Boy Scouts who are also Senior Cadets must remember that they are cadets first by the law of the Dominion and Scouts afterwards. While there may be a difference of opinion as to the value of military drill and scouting, tbere is only one opinion as to a Scout's duty. Moreover, the beating of drums and the blowing of instruments is not scouting.