SCOUT IDEALS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21418, 9 March 1935, Page 6

SCOUT IDEALS

GOODWILL AMONG NATIONS ADDRESS BY LIEUT.-COLONEL WALTON The value of the scout movement in overcoming national prejudice and illfeeling was stressed by LieutenantColonel Granville Walton in an address given last evening to scout officers and rover scouts at the Young Men's Christian Association's rooms. LieutenantColonel Walton is headquarters commissioner for rover scouts, and is accompanying the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell, on his present tour. There were also present at the meeting Dr. P. C. Fenwick, Dominion chief commissioner, Major Furby, headquarters commissioner and general secretary, and Major J. W. Crampton, metropolitan commissioner (Christchurch) .

There were two and a quarter million scouts and one and a quarter million guides«in the world, said Lieuten-ant-Colonel Walton. The movement attempted to solve problems which were not tackled by any other organisation, though it was in sympathy with other movements that aimed, as it did, to foster international good feeling. The jamborees showed how scouts of different race and religion could meet together in friendship, and exchange their different points of view. At the same time the discipline maintained was a striking feature of these gatherings. Scouts in Many Countries There were scouts in 48 countries and in every part of the British Empir ; but the movement was not found in Germany, Italy, or Russia. Before the rise of the Hitler regime leaders of the scout movement had been in touch with those who wished to form a scout movement in Germany. The movement was now impossible as it debarred militarism. In Italy Lord Baden-Powell had seen Mussolini a few months ago. He had said that he wished to make Italy into a nation and had taken the ideals of the scout movement as the basis of its unity. He had, however, added the principle of military training. It was hoped that Italy would soon come into the movement with an international outlook, In Russia the prevalent doctrines conflicted with the promise which the scout made to God. The international committee was making an effort to see that countries where scouting was introduced were imbued with the ideals of the movement. All religions were allowed where they did not conflict with the scout law. The camp brought together those who would become lhe future politicians, possibly of rival countries. The movement had been called a junior league of nations. It was contributing to international peace and in Europe ' was of great importance. Movement Not Militaristic "One wonders why the scout movement has ever been considered militaristic," said Lieutenant-Colonel Walton. "We who have been through the war have no wish to go through it again, nor do we wish our sons ever to go through the appalling business.' There was a wider patriotism than to one's own country, the patriotism which recognised the point of view of other nations. It was most necessary to get back to scouting for boys and to bring scouting up to date by encouraging an interest in such, things as wireless and aeroplanes. At the same time the movement must be kept simple. Lieutenant-Colonel Walton also spoke of the value ot' the niesent 'tour, and gave advice to scout leaders. During the discussion reference was made to the work of vocational training and combating of unemployment that went on in the movement in England. Message from Chief Scout The following message was read from ihe Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell: "I would like to cdngratulatc scout-c-rs on the way in which you have carried on since my visit here in 1931. Being in many cases far away from headquarters you have had to work very much on your own initiative, adapting our principles as far as possible to meet the general conditions, and this you have done with commendable loyalty to the cause. "There is, however, one step lurther which I hope you will take, and that is to get into closer touch and cheery co-operation with one another. We scouters are members of a team whose aim is to pull the movement as a whole through all difficulties, and to extend its good influence as widely as possible among the rising generation of New Zealand. "One of the great needs of a young city is for all its people to pull together, and to make up for lack of numbers by united strength of purpose. 'A house divided against itself cannot stand.' "New Zealand is at present very considerably divided by party politics and local jealousies, and this constitutes a danger to the state just at a time when, owing to trade depression and political unrest in the world, a united nation is essential, it these troubles are to be faced successfully. Here scouters have an opportunity. If we scouters make up our minds to 'look wide' and to sink any minor or personal differences that may exist among us, and to pull together for the good of the whole, we shall double the internal strength of the movement, we shall teach our boys to become larger-minded citizens for their country and we shall be giving an example of unselfish, united, keen work which is so greatly needed at the present time."