COMMISSIONER'S OUTLOOK

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 79, 20 April 1937, Page 15

COMMISSIONER'S OUTLOOK

"LITTLE

JOBN.".

Just a short yarn about traditions. To-day there is a strong feeling among young people that tradition is "out of dato" and that it "clogs the works." There is a tendeticy to sneer at those who cling to them. Those who do sneer often show great ignorance of history and do not see that tliey are scrapping soinething which has built up the character of the British race and will continue to do so and keep them steady tkrough nationai crises and times of trouble. Hc ^ traditions, 1 admit, appear of very little use in our busy material lives, but it is you and I who are reaping the benefit of the loyalty of those who have gone before. Traditions act to our nationai life as governors do to an engine. They keep Us from "racing" and "going off the rails." No greatcr example could be given than during the dark days of our late King. During the strain of indecision, our nation sh'owed a wonderful self-discipline which was the admiration of the world. Something that was bred in us through loyalty to tradition tided us over a grave crisis. Many old traditional Customs which appear useless to those who do not know their origin are carried out in the U traditional word fdr England — flome epuntry. And there I have used H«aie. Some think this should not be. But when you are in England or when you use that word to visitors from England, they feel at once how strong the link is that binds us together. That breed and blood are stronger than any constitution on paper. Many fine traditions exist among our seamen. For inetance, it is tradition that a Bjitish captains stays by his fehips when it is sinking, and he often. goes down with her. Some think it clever to laugh at sueh things. Why should a good man throw his life away and leave his wif'e ahd children?". Ask yourself, could anything maintain disciplihe better or prompt a man to give his lifebelt to another, or his place in a boat, than knowing that a brave man stood oii the bridge facing death alone. Only a craven could rush for himself. Would you throw this traditioii away? 4 An Englishman 's word is his bond" is g, saying that has spread throughout the world because of tradition. This is one of the traditions which wants guarding very carefully. You may say, "J'm not an Englishman,'' but that was what people of other countries called all Britishers. Before the influence of other countries was felt through close intimate business relations tbis tradition had & trtler meaning than it has to-day. "You can't afford that sort of thing in these days," say some. It strikes me that we are too well-to-do if we can afford to drop such a nationai characteristic. We Scouts are buildipg up tradition. The best known outside our Movement is the good turn. You will find that wherever the matter of good turns is spoken of it is often referred to as being a Boy Scout action. You will find it half humorously referred to in books. That is because you chaps are trying to live up to tradition. So, when you enter this hurly-burly called the world don't think it clever and fashionable to sneer at traditions which have made the British people what they are to-day. And, believe me, that they are looked to as civilisation's strongest hope. It is more than ossential that you young chaps should j prove true to our Nationai traditions if j our Nation and the world is to be ; brought through the present anxious tVlAO nkftA'M A

We congratulate L. Scott on winnihg both the carpenter and handyman badges.