BOY SCOUTS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 808, 4 May 1910, Page 3

BOY SCOUTS

THE QUESTION OF CONTROL, FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. The latest development with regard to tho question of administrative control of the Dominion Boy Scout organisation 13 the issue of a circular memorandum by Dr. R. H. Makgill, Commissioner for the North Island, to tho district commanders and other officials of the organisation ooncerned, asking "whether they "are favourable to taking the step which will enable the Junior Cadet Department to avail itself of the training given by the Dominion Boy Scout organisation."

"Universal military training having been decided on/' tho memorandum continues, "it was considered desirable by tho executive of the Dominion Boy Scout organisation that an arrangement be come to with tho Minister for Education, whereby the training undergone by the Boy Scoatfl might be recogoised. After prolonged negotiations, regulations . enabling such recognition of their services were gazetted. These regulations necessarily deal with the control of Boy Scouts waile performing duties in the cadet forces. They have no reference to the internal working of the Dominion Boy Soout organisation. The organisa- ; tion continues to work on the same lines as heretofore.

"For the purpose of making the scope of the regulations clear in so far as they relate to tho Dominion Boy Scout organisation, the Minister for Education stated: . . such (Departmental) control would in no wise restrict the Boy Scout organisation in the work they are doing now in an unofficial way . . and. upon being interviewed by representatives of the organisation he said: . . he in no wise wished to restrict or oontrol the work no\r being carried on by the Boy. Scout organisation, and that the clauses merely ensured that when in common with other junior cadets the Boy Scouts and their officers are ongfcffed in work at official times and places as cadets, they shall be solely, under the oontrol of the commandant of cadets.

"Subject, therefore, to general adoption of the """principle, such officers and membere of the Dominion Boy Scout organisation as are willing'may in addition take rank and service as part of the cadet forces. (Boys from 12 to 14 must necessarily be cadets of cadeteconts.) In such' relationship It is desired that the greatest courtesy, co-operation, and assistance be extended by. officers of the organisation." Then follows a resume of the particular regulations which, incorporated with those governing the > organisation, and control of the junior cadets, apply directly to the Boy Scout organisation— these regulations have already appeared —and the memorandum concludes: "Erom the foregoing it will be seen that, upon officers of tho "Domlnioh Boy Scout organisation consenting to give their services to the Junior Cadet Department : '."(1) They will continue in the organisation as before, and may also be appointed .as officers of the Scout Cadet branch; , , "'(2) That their scouts undor 12 and over 14 years will on official occasions bo apart from tho scouts who arc cadets; "'(3) That the latter must parade as cadets; . "' (i) Thai a free uniform ror offloial occasions will be. issued onoe in five years.' ' , "I should be glad to receive your.reply, provisional if.need.be, by May 15 next.

- <THE "DOMINION SCOUT." . "Y7& hare rcccived fioiii the publishers of • th© "Dominion Scout," described as the official organ of the Dominion Boy Scout Organisation, a copy of the initial issue of what promises, to bo an interesting weekly-journal of news items, storiettes,' skotches, and so forth, of speoial interest to all followers in the footsteps, of the great father of the movement. Appropriately enough, there is included in the first number of the "Scout" a'biographical sketch of the f)ioneer of the movement in New Zeaand, -Major D. Cossgroye, VJ)., Dominion Chief Scout.