N.Z. BOY SCOUTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17469, 1 June 1922, Page 5

N.Z. BOY SCOUTS.

DOMINION COUNCIL. The annual meeting of the Dominion Council of the Boy Scouts' Association, Now Zealand, was concluded yesterday. Brigadier-General A. \V. Andrew presided. In addition to those who attended on the opening day, Mr F. Z. D. Ferriman, Asliburton, attended yesterday. Community Service. The chairman announced that the Commissioner for Auckland (Mr R. C. Gngrby) had received a telegram which indicated the direction in which Scouts could be useful to the community, and to practical service for the community, and an excellent way to bring boys up to do things for themselves. The telegram was as follows: —"389 Scouts took part in the commercial travellers' drive tor the poor and needy in -Auckland today (Applause.) The executive had been approached. General Andrew continued, by the Mayor of Christchurch lor permission for the Christchurch Scouts to assist in the appeal for the blind on Fridav. They were aware that Scouts were not allowed to beg for anybody: they were to be used on Iriday to lead the blind about the CJ \ v ( .¥ ear ', hear -> Tl 'at was a much better thing for the boys to do than pleading for money. The executive had agreed to the request and the Lhristchurch Commissioner (Mi- «. Lancaster was authorised to give effect to it.

Status of Commissioners. Arising out of the resolution arrived at the previous day, relating to the nomination of Scout Commissioners by local Associations, it was decided to leave to the executive the fixing of the date on which nominations have to be sent in at the end of the neriod for which commissioners will be'appointed this year under the new scheme. On the Chief Commissioner's motion, it was decided that, as in the past, Commissioners should appoint their puty or deputies. Captain S.'ipper asked, regarding the status of Commissioners, whether they were, combatants, active officers, or only civil, administrative officers: was a Commissioner the senior officer of the group? The Chief Commissioner said that the Commissioner was the chief executive officer in his area, > The chairman said that he was not too partial to some of the democratic ideas being introduced—they might go too far in the election from below. It had been the curse of the volunteer system because the commanding officer was at the beck and call of the men, and he was not a disciplinary officer in the sense meant by .Captain Slipper. He looked upon commissioners as representing headquarters in their respective areas, and he thought that was the vie v of the executive. Although Commis sioners were • to be nominated from below, the executive had retained the right to approve of the nomination: if the nomination were accepted the Commissioner would be looked upon as the executive's officer, and should have, at least, disciplinary control over the scoutmasters in his area.

Tt was ultimately decided that the executive should clearly define the duties and status of Commissioners as representatives of the Dominion Council in each local area. Annual Report. On the motion of Mr Isitt, seconded by Mr Mitchell, the annual report was adopted without discussion. Issue of Badges.

The Chief Commissioner (for Mr Goodman) moved: —"That the resolution passed at the last annual meeting regarding the free issue of test and certain proficiency badges be rescinded, and the following substituted therefor: —"That, on and after July Ist, 1922, all test and proficiency and other badges, medals, and cords, excepting the Cossgrove Memorial Badge,. the Officers' Long Service Medal and bar and the First Class . Test Badge for Rovers. Boy Scouts and Jjinior Scouts, be paia for by those earning same, or, as may be decided by Troop Committees, at the rate of headquarters' cost of each badge.'»» Tho Chief Oommisisoner said that last year 8245 badges were issued by headquarters; over naif of these were test badges—tenderfoot, second and first-class. There had been a rush for these badges, which had been all t 0 the good, ana was the finest progress recorded, in his knowledge, made by the movement in the Dominion—the boys had been engaged in real Scout work. They now wanted to go a step further. It was surprising how few first-class Scouts there were in the Dominion, and it was desired to induce the boyß to fo right along to be first-class Scouts y giving them the badges gained in reaching that point free. The proficiency badges would have to be paid for: to gain these the boy had not only to study but had to exercise self-denial and self-sacrifice, and had to bo resourceful in order t 0 earn the money to pay for the badges. It was left to the discretion of troops whether the individual Scout paid for these badges, or whether the troop paid for them. • Mr Carrington seconded, and read a lengthy report on the badge question. Amongst the recommendations wero — (1) That all officors should be expected to pass certain specified tests; and (2) that only qualified officers (i.e., those who passed these tests) should be exempted from military service. Instead of Soout officers wearing proficiency badges he sugegsted that there should be special badge or insignia to indicate that he was a qualified officer. Mr Carrington referred to the extreme difficulty of some of the tests,, and the necessity for the revision of some of the tests. He suggested that the tests should be divided amongst the Commissioners, who should be asked to make suggestions for thoir revision. After discussion the motion was agreed to, and it was fuHher resolved to allocate the badge tests amongst tho provinces and ask them to report on suggested alterations. A motion, submitted by Captain Bellamy, proposed the rescinding of a portion of a resolution of the previous annual meeting, and the substitution of permission to allow six proficiency badges being gained before a bcout obtained his first-class badge. The motion, after discussion, was negatived. | The Uniform Question. The Rev. D. Campbell brought up the question of uniforms for Soout ofii°CThe Chief Commissioner detailed the results of the steps taken to ascertain the opinion of €ommisisoners and Scoutmasters on the subject. The present uniform for officers 'and Boy Scouts was settled by an Order-in-Council appearing m the New Zealand After some discussion it was decided that the uniforms should be as described in the "Gazette" notice. Long Service Medal. Keolving to Mr McLean, the Chief Commissioner said that the Long Service Medal was a purely Ney Zealand decoration, and did not exist in any IXr part 6£ the Empire It was only presented to those who had had five I dears' continuous service m the movement in the Dominion. | District Scoutmasters. Replying to Captain the Chief Commissioner said the id JP was district Scoutmasters should be training officers, but should not be in charge of a troop. Greetings from Auckland. , I Mr Grigsby conveyed tibe following

resolutions from Auckland: —"That the greetings and goodwill of the Auckland Council of Roy Scouts be conveyed to the Dominion conference by our representatives—the Hou. G. Fowlds and Mr E. C. Not only doe 3 this Council apnreciate the efforts of Headquarters, but it also recognises the many difficulties with which it haa to contend. With them, we look forward to a successful year's activities, and wish to assure the conference of our desire to extend and improve the standard of work in our own province." "That this meeting of members of the Auckland Provincial Council, Local Association, and officers of the Boys Sconte and Girl Peace Scouts, extend t'v the 1922 conference a verv cordial expression of goodwill, together with best wishes for a successful conference, and the future progress of the Scout movement." The Chief Commissioner, on behalf of Headquarters, expressed his keen appreciation of these resolutions He assured Auckland, as he assured all commissioners, that Headquarters existed not to put restrictions, but to help forward the movement. Mr Isitt said that since Mr Fowlds come down and talked matters over, they knew evactly where the trouble\v:is. Not only was Anck'and working nnvo'il/y, but they would be tremendously prnud of the progress that Auckland would make. Major Sandford and Mr McLean conveyed greetings from their districts. Scout Song.

The chairman brought up a suggestion, made by Mr Ferriman, that it would be an excellent thine to have a national New Zealand Scout song, wi'aich would inculcate ideas of reverence' for God and loyalty to the King. Mr Boswell referred to a Scout song book published in England, which contained sonsis that Were higlfly appreciated in England. The opinion was generally expressed that the song should be a New Zealand national 11 ;y Sco-ut sang. It was suggested that a prize should be offered for a .xong. The matter was left in the hands of tihe executive. Troop Committees. Mr Innes Jones brought up the question of the promise that members of troop committees were asked to subscribe to. He stated that some members objected to sign the promise. After some discussion, tie Chief Commissioner stated that the use of the cards (containing the promise) was not obligatory; they had been supplied to commissioners who applied for them as a convenient card system. Eaising Age of Cadets. Mr King brought up the subject of the age at which boys should be called upon to undergo military training as Cadets should be raised to 16 years. He thought this could be accomplished if the Si!out movement could guarantee the training of boys from 14 years to 16 years. . ~..,. The chairman said that the Minister of Education intended bringing in a measure to raise the school age to 15 years, and he (the Minister) thought that would give them a good help for the present. Mr Lancaster said that boys as soon as they started attending secondary schools became members of the School Cadets. Personally, he would be quite glad if the Cadet Corps, instead of giving so much time to military drill, gave it to Scout work; but that could not be done till an alteration was made that would permit it. At a later stage Major Fleming (Dunedin) referred to the same matter, and was supported by Mr Grigsby (Auckland). The chairman said that the subject would be borne in mind by the executive, and if the opportunity presented itself, it would be brought before the authorities.

Women's Wort Appreciated. Mr H. Herbert Smith moved: "That this meeting expresses its appreciation of the valuable assistance rendered by the ladies to the Scout movement throughout the Dominion, and extends its sincere thanks to those ladies who have so ably assisted in the training of the boys in their respective districts." He referred to the necessity for obtaining the co-operation of mothers if the movement was to extend. The Chief Commissioner seconded, and the motion was carried by acclamation. Next Annual Meeting. The chairman suggested that a departure should be made from the decision to hold the annual meeting alternately in Wellington and Christchurch. There were only about 250 Scouts in the Dunedin Province, and it would help the movement there if the next annual meeting was held in Dunedin. Captain Slipper put; in a strong plea for Palmerston North being selected. Mr Isitt urged the claims- of Auckland. Mr Grigsby (Auckland) said they should carry out the Scout • law and help where it was needed. On the motion of Mr Isitt, seconded by Mr Grigsby, it was decided that next annual meeting be held in Dunedin. Sea Scout Movement. The Chief Commissioner detailed matters connected with the revival of interest in the Sea Scout movement. The chairman said ho hoped that Commissioners would not push the executive too hard in the matter of new troops—difficulty was being experienced in getting boats. He had mapped out a programme whereunder he thought they tould provide ten boats yearly. Votes of Thanks. On the motion of Mr Isitt, a vote of thanks was passed to the Press of Chmtchurch for their generous reports and sympathetic help given to the movement. The meeting placed on record its high appreciation of the faithful and strenuous labours of the executive, the Chief Commissioner, and the office staff. "For They are Jolly Good Fellows" Avas sung. Votes of thanks to the Mayor of Christchurch for attending and opening the meeting, and to the City Council for the use of the Council Chambers, were agreed to. The meeting closed with the singing ,of the' National Anthem and the i Doxology.