MESSAGE TO SCOUTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20827, 20 March 1931, Page 11

MESSAGE TO SCOUTS.

FAREWELL FROM LEADER.

TRIBUTE TO THEIR WORK.

PRIDE IN COUNTRY URGED. The following farewell letter has been sent by the Chief Scout, Lord BacJenPowelj, to the Boy Scouts of New Zealand : "My Pear Rovers, Scouts and Cubs,— I have seen you all collected at big rallies at Auckland, Wellington, Christ.' church and Dunedin, and before leaving New Zealand I want to say how very pleased I have been by what I have seen and by what I have heard of you. * "Generally speaking, you looked jolly smart in your uniform, though I noticed some troops had not as yet fitted themselves out with staves, What about'this in New Zealand, where you are particularly lucky in having plenty of bush country where you can cut first-class sticks ?

"On parade, of course, you showed good discipline and obedience to your patrol leaders nnd scouters, but I judge scouts not only by their discipline on parade, but especially when off parade, in going about" the streets, or travelling by train. It is then that true scouts keep up their smartness and good behaviour, and don't slouch about or make themselves a noisy nuisance like ordinary boys. I. have been specially pleased to learn from outsiders that you scouts are particularly well behaved in this way. Oourage Curing Earthquake. "I was very pleased with many of the displays you gave, and with your firstaid, your camp gadgets, and especially your bridge building and pioneer work. It all showed that you are making yoursflves good in scoutcraft and campercraft. "Above all, I was glad, and yon must all be proud, to hear the good reports of the behaviour of the scouts in the Hawke's Bay district, in the disastrous earthquake there, when, in spite of the terrors of the time, the scouts kept their heads and their courage, and did what I expect all scouts to do—they thought of others first and set to work at once, without sjfecial orders, each to do his best to help in rescue, first aid and every kind of useful work. "We have to lament the loss of three brother scouts in the»disaster; but our sorrow for them is tempered by our pride in the good work of the others who survived, and who so well upheld the good name of our brotherhood, • "This sudden disaster was a reminder to all of us of how important it is to 'Be Prepared' for any kind of accident at a most unexpected moment, So keep up your knowledge of first aid, and remember in a sudden and dangerous crisis to smile and to carry on and help others even in the face of danger and death. Looking to the Future.

"Another thing I' want you to 'Be Prepared* for. You live in what "I think is the finest country in the world, and I ought to know, as I have visited most of the countries, and 1 look on you New Zealanders as one of the finest people in the world. For this reason, because you are 'gentlemen,' that, is, you are brave and truthful, you are courteous and clean, your houses and gardens are smart, your backyards and your streets are tidy, you take a pride in the appearance of.your homes and of your towns, and so'you go on to take a pride in your country. "New Zealand is in low water at present owing to bad trade all over the world. You scouts will soon be grown up, and it will be your business to bring back the prosperity of your coUntry again. This may sound rather a large order for young people to undertake, but jf you really work at your work, whatever your job may be, you will be doing a service for your country and will be helping toward bringing it to success. "So I want you to take this, for your motto, and to act up to it: 'My country is "a fine one, and X will do best to make it a finer one yet.' Don't forget it, scouts! Best of luck to you all, and good camping."