THE BOY SCOUTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19916, 9 April 1928, Page 12

THE BOY SCOUTS.

Sir. —I think most parents of boys in the Scout movement will agree with me in protesting against the suggestion that young men who are not prepared to do their bit in defending their own country should take on scout.masterships. nor do we like the tone adopted by the magistrate in referring to the movement. It is hard to find suitable men to fill theso positions, hut let us at least have men with grit and a sense of responsibility, that car; command the respect of the boys. Rather have no troop at all than one whose head has had to appear before a magistrate on a charge of shirking tho most elementary duty of all males—■ human or animal—to guard those who depend on him in times of danger—nor do wo admire a Church which supports him in doing so. An individual who prefers to sit in a cosy church among tha old, the cripples and the children and pray, while others go forth and face tho dangers and discomforts in time of war; is certainly not the man to put the right spirit into our boys. Strictly speaking; he could not join the movement, because its members promise "to do their best to do their duty to God and the King." Also he would certainly have to teach h s scouts first aid to the wounded—and ono of them is so afraid of soiling his poor little soul that he will not even learn this! No, we want real men as scoutmasters. Scouts are not tiught o ha militaristic, as every honest Inquive * can ascertain, but they are taught 'o lie men. not softies, and magistrates should speak with respect of a movement which has rallied the whole world before it, and 'll do immense things for harmon/ among nations and world peace. Parent of Three Scouts.