WHERE DUTIES CLASH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16033, 26 January 1920, Page 5

WHERE DUTIES CLASH.

BOY SCOUT AND TERRITORIAL*

A CLAIM FOR EXEMPTION

FROM SERVICE.,

Because he could not give sufficient time to his duties as Scoutmaster on account of his duties as a, territorial, a youth of 20, named D. Weir, applied to Magistrate Wilson at the Court this morning for exemption from military training, The applicant explained that he was Scoutmaster of a troop of Boy Scouts and had been for the last two years, and had upwards of 50 to 60 boys in his care. By attending to his duties as a territorial he could not give sufficient time to his Scouts, ‘‘We want this man to learn to be a soldier; he won’t do that by remaining a Boy Scout,” said Lieut. Wales, who represented the Defence Department, which opposed the application on principle. He pointed out that the duties of a territorial did not impose a great hardship;, there was one evening parade a fortnight and one day parade a month. For special parades of Boy Scouts there was no reason why the applicant could not obtain leave.

In. reply to his Worship the applicant said he had no lieutenant and no non-commissioned officer capable of taking charge. His 'Worship expressed some surprise at this, whereupon_ the applicant remarked that Senior Cadet Companies and Territorials had a lot to thank the Boy Scouts for. Proceeding, the Magistrate said that the applicant must continue his territorial duties. He had to fit himself as a soldier and submit himself to discipline before he could discipline others. Applicant remarked that he had attended territorial parades and was no better off for doing so..

His Worship reflectively remarked that it was hard throughout life to estimate the gain for one day. He was pleased to know that the applicant was so keen on his Boy Scout.duties, but he would have to brush up his territorial work. The application was refused.