AROUND THE CAMPFIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15272, 23 June 1923, Page 20 (Supplement)

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE.

IOY SCOUT NOTES. By "Pathfinder.” Boy Scouts. In London it is the custom of tiie London broad-casting station to broadcast a talk to Scouts by wireless. This takes place every Thursday. I do not know whether it takes the place of parades, for those scouts who possess receiving sets, but it must- be a great help to their scouting. Baden Powell has caught onto the usefulness of it, and he has written a special "talk" on the subject. Chief Scout Has a Talk on Wireless. The recent development of wireless broadcasting in this country has added yet another means of rapid thought-communication to those which we already possess. Within a very brief period science has bequeathed to us the land-line telegraph and telephone and the wireless telegraph. Today we are witnessing the arrival of the latest gift of science—the wireless telephone. Hitherto, the only avenue of approach to the millions who make up society has been through the press. Never before in the history of journalism has such an organisation existed for the dissemination of news

as. the modern daily press. Yet even that has its limitations. The best daily paper in existence can only convey its news at the speed of the newsboy who races down the street with it in the city in which it is produced, or of the train or aeroplane which carries it for distribution in country districts. The wireless telegraph Ms, of course, for many years played a very, important part in the commercial and industrial development of all civilised communities. Its value as a means of saving life at sea has, moreover, been demonstrated over and over again since the beginning of the present century. The scope of its utility, however, though wide,,/has always been restricted by the fact that it can only be used as a means of communication between specially-trained operators. This, of course, puts it outside the reach —or, at any rate, the interest — of the millions. lis Uses in Organisation. The ordinary land-line telephone is free from these two drawbacks. It lacks botli the unintelligibility of the telegraph and the comparative slowness of the newspaper. It enables a straightforward message, which needs no deciphering, to be transmitted almost instantaneously over hundreds of miles. But —once more therfe is an important limitation —the ordinary telephone cannot reach the ears of millions of people simultaneously. In making it possible for this wonderful feat to be performed, the wireless telephone promises to exercise a more far-reaching influence over society than has been achieved by any other invention of modern times. Properly used and controlled by the individual and the State alike, it should prove a potent factor in welding the social, economic, and political interests that exist, not only among Hie individuals of this nation, but among the various nations that constitute this Empire. Wireless telephony broadcasting, apart from its interest and value as a means of distributing news, music, weather reports, etc., is particularly suitable as an instrument of intercommunication and control in the service of such a widespread organisation as the Boy Scouts’ Association. • In every sphere of activity efficient organisation calls for the swiftest available means of transmitting intelligence from those in command to the members of the various sections and sub-sections under their control. In the past even the quickest method of effecting this has always necessitated some method of "relaying" the information on from one department to another. When the different groups comprising the organisation are situated in all parts of the country, as in the case of the Boy Scouts’ Association, this relaying system leaves much to be desired at times, particularly in moments of sudden emergency. Wireless telephony provides a means of direct communications between all branches of the Association, and it ..is hoped, as opportunity offers in the' future, to take full advantage of the facilities it affords. Qualifying for Badges. At presnt, in order to qualify for a Telegraphist badge a Scout must understand the elementary principles of a wireless telegraph installation. Many Scouts and Scoutmasters, of course, possess a very sound knowledge of wireless principles, and, moreover, are the owners of excellent portable outfits and amateur equipments. It is hoped, however, to inaugurate a mucli broader scheme for wireless instruction among Scouts in the near future. Now that so many new wireless societies arc coming into being throughout the country, it may be possible to arrange for local Scouts to benefit by attending their lectures and demonstrations, etc. An Electrician badge involves a knowledge of how to make a simple electro-magnet, the action of simple cells, and the working of electric bells and telephones. An applicant for a Pilot badge must, among other things, be able to fix positions by means of cross bearings, ■in operation whicli is, of course, constantly involved in wireless positionfinding. This, incidentally, is a branch of wireless which should prove or special interest to Scouts. Equipped with a directional aerial and a suitable chart, a Scout should be able to guide himself over any area of the country by day or by night. Not only can he set his course ffom observation of the direction of received signals, but he can also check ids position periodically by taking cross bearings on any number of flic transmitting stations which arc constantly in action. A Useful Bit of Knowledge. Very often a Scout lias it said to him, “Poof! 'l’he Boy Scouts! Broomstick warriors! I wouldn’t be seen with them.” Mark the man well who says that. Ask him if he lias ever heard of the Chief Scout, and then politely inform him that the chief doer, not belittle the movement, and he is a Lieutenant-General and a Sir, a K.C.V.0., K.C.B.', C. 8., C.V.0., LL.D., K.R.G.S., recipient of the Legion of Honour, the Victoria. Gross, etc., etc. Ask your friend what he is, that he dares to criticise a movement with such a great leader. He will probably be nothing more than an A.S.S.,.bnt the beLting is lie won’t even own up to it. Troop Topics. The Southern Grosses, under their new Scoutmaster, Mr Taylor, arc doing well. They have the assistance of Mr i Oldham, late S.M. of St. George’s, j Is every troop geting ready Tor its bazaar, concert, or whatever they are ! going lo .have for the purpose of j raising funds for their first camp in | Hie spring. It is the early bird that i catches the worm (foolish worm, we

i say, to be about so early, but, it is usually there nevertheless). So get I hu#*-