GREAT MORAL TEST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 189, 22 July 1940, Page 5

GREAT MORAL TEST

SCOUTING AS AN ESSENTIAL NATIONAL SERVICE INTERVIEW WITH DOMINION SGOUII COMMISSIONER "We are passing through a period when the whole world isi | being put to a great mo : ral test. Every day some established cus-. torn which has almost become aj national necessity is being giv-! tn up. We are clearing our decks for action and we are doing it cheerfully; as more and more is cleared away the solid and basic foundations of our national life become more apparent," said Mr J. R- H. CoOk-< sey, Domi'nion Commissioner for Training Boy Scouts, in an iivterview with a Beacon representative last week. "Although armaments will play a great part iki our final victory, it is becoming more and more certain that it is the character of a nation that is the final 1 factor. We olJjar people are engaged, in a work of destruction. It is always so with Avar. But it is the destruction of evil, so that civilisation may exist. But we- must not concentrate all

our energy on, this sad /work as on the rising generation will fall the task of rebuilding and Ave must put in a solid* foundation upon which they can build. What shape the edifice takes we cannot forsee, but we can train our young people— and must —in sound principles so that their building may stand the stresses and strains of the after war period.

The Clash of Youth. "This is always a dangerous Unitfor youth, w Commissioner Cooksey continued. "Unsettled and bewildered they will" look' for guidance. This may be good or bad. The problems that they will have to tackle are emmense; national, international, and social. If we neglect their training during war years, all that we sacrifice to-day may be in vain. We are facing ,a terrible force today. A misguided, youth fired by blind enthusiasm. We must endeavour- to fire our youth with a like enthusiasm, but for good rather than evil. "I was delighted witlr the muster of Cubs;, Scouts and parents l at the recent meeting I attended at WTitvkatane," Commissioner Cooksey declared. "In this movement you have the essentials of sound national and international reconstruction. Training in sound leadership has always been one of its first objectives.. Cheerful service and toleration and international goodfellowship have been fostered. Facing Difficulties. "The : movement to-day is facing many-difficulties, just as every other movement. But this is a time to surmount these difficulties. The gaps made by the absence of Scoutmasters on active service are. being surmounted by the splendid spirit of our Patrol Leaders. This is a great opportunity for them to prove their worth. It is also a great opportunity for parents and committeemen to rally around this little band and encourage and assist them in maintaining their Troops.' They are doing a very vital and essential national service. What they are today our nation will be to-morrow. They are anxious to do practical service to their country just as their brother Scouts are doing throughout the world. We can and must assist them in every way to ciarry out this service. Much quiet help is already being done throughout the Dominion by them in the homes* of men who are at the front* "This enthusiasm of youth is a nation's greatest power and it is our duty to harness it and guide it into constructive channels. If we neglect this to-day the future of the world may be chaos/* the Commissioner concluded.