ITEMS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 15 April 1939, Page 3

ITEMS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES

NATIONAL SERVICE BADGE ! CONDITIONS FOR QUALIFYING ; A National Service Badge for Scouts. I Rover Scouts. Old Scouts, and Scouters | has been instituted by the Boy Scouts Association. The badge is the outcome of the reports received and experience gained during the crisis of last September. Before the badge is awarded the boy must obtain concent from his parents or guardians. A list of Scouts and Scouters registered under the scheme will be kept by local associations. Following are the. conditions for qualifying for the badge:— A Scout must be Second Class, have reached the age of 14 and have the permission of his parent or guardian given on the Scout National Service Form. He must also—1. Be able to carry verbal messages, to write them down correctly, and to report either verbally or in writing on any important occurrence which he has witnessed. Be nble to use the telephone competently, and understand the instructions contained in the Telephone Directory. Have a special knowledge of the locality in which he is likely to serve, with particular reference to the form of service, c.g.. air raid precautions stations, casualty clearing stations, gas- | proo r shelters, evacuation and other rallying posts, wardens’ and observers’ posts, positions of gas mains, main fuse boxes, alternative forms cf communications. 3. Have a practical knowledge of the fitting aid care of civilian gas masks. 4. Know the dangers of panic in the car- of an emergency, and how to preserve discipline and good order among nervous people, and particularly child ren. 5. Be enrolled to serve in connection with some definite national service, either under Scout authority or under some recognised public authority. The Scout National Service Badge ranks with the Pathfinder, CoastWatchman. and Pilot Badges for the purposes of the King's Scout Badge. The Scout National Service Badge will be worn on the right breast above the line of the pocket. Scouts holding the Scout National Service Badgi and enrolled under some specific scheme, such as coastwatching, fire brigade, first aid posts, should be encouraged to qualify for the appropriate Scout Proficiency Badge. Local authorities such as the police, A.R.P. and tire brigade should be invited i,o_pjrovide examiners. In places where these authorities are not easily available the District Commissioner must make special arrangements to see that competent examiners are appointed in conjunction with the local association. Commissioners, other Scouters. Old Scouts and Rovers may wear the Scorn National Service Badge provided .they Fulfil the requirements of the test and demonstrate to the independent examiner a higher standard of knowledge and performance as required by the particular position they hold. In is important that uniform should be worn by all Scouts, Rovers and Scouters when engaged in practice and preparation for, and in the performance of. national service work, except when a sudden call may render this impossible. Note.--It has been held that those Scouters who are in responsible positions as Commissioners, Group Scoutmasters; Rover Scout Leaders. Scoutmasters. and Cubmasters, can rightly regard the work they are doing as of real national value.