SCOUT EXHIBITION

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 259, 1 November 1937, Page 2

SCOUT EXHIBITION

Handicrafts on Display VALUE OF MOVEMENT From Our Own CoriesDondent HASTINGS, Oct. 30. “It is better to spend money on sending your boys to Scout jamborees than to spend millions of pounds to sond them to be blown to pieces,” said Commissioner J. R. H. Cooksey’, speak ing last night at the exhibition of Scout handicrafts held in St. Matthew’s haiT, Hastings. Mr Cooksey, by means of lantern slides, demonstrated the value accruing from the periodic gatherings of boys from all parts of the world and the influence for peace which came as a natural result. “Wo have terrific problems to faco to-day,” he continued. “The world is full of spiritual unrest, physical unfitness and international puzzles. Perhaps our chief trouble is that we try to solve theso difficulties in our own lifetime, whereas in Scouting the work is going on steadily, although we are not much in the limelight.” New Zealand, with its wide open spaces, healthy manhood and absence of real slums was, nevertheless, lagging badly in Scouting. The Dominion had ideal advantages, but the movement did not get the support it needed. Particularly deplorable was the lack of Scoutmasters. “I know of no movement which gets bigger results and yet asks for so little money,” concluded Mr Cooksey. Interesting Exhibit**. The meeting was well attended and proved a success in every way. Among the exhibits were to be found models in wood and metal, electrical devices, including an exceedingly well-made microphone, linoouts, reading lamps, wickerwork in mats and trays, camp stools, card tables, bread-boards, silver-paper pictures and even jerseys, all made by tho boys. One exhibit, which attracted a great deal of attention, was a large carved Maori house. “}Ve have hero a display covering every phase of arts and crafts —thing® beautiful and things useful.” remarked the Mayor of Hastings, Mr G. A. Maddison, in declaring the exhibition open. The standard, he added, showed a definite improvement on that of last year’s exhibition.' “This exhibition is indicative of one of the values of the Scout movement,” said Mr Maddison. “Through this work is manifested character, industry, con scientiousness, meticulous care, and self-reliance—all characteristics responsible for the pioneering work in this country, but sadly lacking to-day. “But the Scouts in Hastings are a family without a home, although I hope that, before the end of Novembei. sufficient money and materials will have been obtained for the work of building tho hut in Duke street to be Jieguu Once this is completed, the Scouts wit have a home giving them tho oppor runity of exercising fully the knowledge they have gained in the movement.” The success of the organisation depended upon the individual, he reminded the Scouts, and he stressed the need for expression through the hands. Often there was more character building derived from a simple piece of work than from the more elaborate exhibits ®een in the exhibition.