BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 August 1910, Page 2

BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT.

MEETING AT LEVIN. SPEECH BY~THE MAYOR. IMPORTANT DECISION; Convened by his Worship the Mayor of Levin (Mir B. 11. Gardener) a public meeting was held last evening at the Century Hall, with a view to considering the desirability of forminig a Boys' Scout movement in licvin and district. There was only a small attendance of parents, but a goodly number of boys was present. The movement is making considerable headway in New Zealand, moro especially in the large townsj and those who have any personal acquaintance with 'England—especially London, and the great cities of the North—Manchester; Liverpool and Halifax—and Midland towns, aro well acquainted with the excellent moral and physical results that have accrued from its formation. Although towards the close of the meeting some criticism was offered it was apparently of a friendly nature.

The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, said that the meeting that evening was being held with the object of forming a boys company in that district. They had, he knew, a brancih already in the locality, and Mr J. W. Gibson was taking the deepest interest in it. But the present idea was to form one large company in Levin. Many people had been under a wrong impression with regard to the movement. It was not a movement that_ taught people to fight. What it did teach them to do was to be (honourable, and just and pure. The idea was to give the boys an opportunity of doing some good to. their fellow creatures, and the Scout movement desired at implanting a spirit of kindness, justice, and loyalty. It also taught the boys to be generous and courteous to women audi girls, and courteous to womet and girls. It particularly insisted on a hoy trying to do soinc little kindly action to somebody every day. Those were the kind of things they attempted to instil into, the minds of the scouts. Very often just for pure fun a boy would push another one into the mud. It was not the thing to do. Or a bigger boy might bo taking advantage of a smdllei one by hitting him. It was the duty of A SCOUT to prevent such things by kindly nii-l honourable advice. In Wellington and Palmeuston North instances such as these came umtor the public notice every day. By simply educating boys uj) to such a standard as this they were 'helping them to become as perfect as is was possible for boys to become. So that thoy would see it helped to make the boys honourable, and helped them also on in the battle of life. He was sorry to see that not very many parents were present, because he was perfectly certain that a movement of this kind would be of the very greatest utility to their sons. He hoped, however, that the movement would be taken up actively in Levin, because, as he (had said/, it would be of great advantage to the boys, and would mloun to the future welfare of the district. (Applause.) Captain Jones commented .upon the importance of boys becoming recruits to the movement, because it instilled into them the best of qualities, and after all the futuire of the country largely depended upon the rising generation. The chairman had already explained the chief items of the niovonient, wflieh was essentially a movement that should appeal to boys—fo rail that to men as well. They were not necessarily engaged m a military movement, although the boys would learn many valuable lessons in .perseverance. pluck and resource. At the same time it ever the period did arrive when they would have to take the held or join the territorials they would find the lessons they received a; members of the Scout 'movement to be most valuable. alio effect on the character of the boys was very marked. The movement was

ATTRACTIVE one it had no idea of festering a spirit of militarism, hut it did very argely contribute to the development of U IG best and most many nuts ~, a boy's character. I„ England: the Boy Scouts were most popular, and inasmuch as it made no distinction between rich and poor, it ""Slit to appeal to a democratic country such as ,Xew Zealand. The essence of the whole scheme was decentrahsat.on Captain Jones went onto explain the various details ol the organisation, and said 'at if they could get six scouts those six scouts would make a patrol who would select their patrol leader. Different sections were formed, a roop was also formed, and the troop ».is commanded by a scout officer Iwo or more troops would form a hatallion. Batallions would suh seoueutly form a brigade. I„ starting the movement in a new district it was necessary to get the patrols together and ask some one to' take them over and act as scout master, i bore was considerable advantage i" having a company formed in tins loca ht.v, bocause Horow.henua and •Manawatu always appeared to get <>» vory well „, .sporting matters, and they were geographically admirably suited for amalgamation. -Major Tatuin remarked that the movement appealed very strongly to him because it was a great element in the moral and. physical development of boys. SiiK-e the movement started in Xew Zealand he had taken the deepest interest :;, it. He ( ] ia ,[ watched the boys join, and he had imticed the great improvement that had taken place in them vory sbortv aWards. It taught boys ,how to defend themselves and how to It helped to foster a spirit of friendship among them, it taught them to no acts ol kindness, and. to be loyal. Fn reply to Mr Gibson, Captain Jones stated that there was no subpa rel the S " l>l>,y of a PThe Mayor then moved the following resolution :--Tl.at a scout com.n,!i y ti * i'i" 1011 VV Le , rin and strict and that the pnbhe be asked to assist the movement in every way possible. In doing so he emphasised the views which he gave expression to in Ins opening speech., and reiterated the opinion that the movement would be one of a most

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i or the boys and the town as well. . Alsijor JJurlmson and ,Dr Mackenzie offered some criticism to the movement, the former remarking that there must be some amount of laxity of control m connection with the scout movement. The Mayor recited the .rules of the movement to Dr Mackenzie, and Captain Jones, in replying, thought the matter might be left in the hands of the boys. He did ,M i to .. t, JL \ n,st <*e movement on the people if they did not want it. liie Mayor was sorry at the opposition that had been raised. Jt was admitted that the- scout movement was one that would benefit the boys and eventually the dominion. He had spoken the other day to a gentleman who had had a wide experience with boys—a man thoroughly competent and thoroughly qualified to pass an opinion on the matter— and he had told .him that the Scout movement.had had the most beneficial results on the lads. Mr Field was also heartily in favour of the movement, and so were many men whose- judgment and sagacity were unquestioned. He, therefore, hoped that the resolution would be unaramously carried. Personally he was .going to pusfh the matter forward— (loud applause)—and he hoped

i •. , , ~ to tierid out fifty or sixty loiters to parents and citizens with a view of giving the movement concrete expression. (Applause). The resolution was adopted by an 'Overwhelming majority. On the proposition" of the Mayor a cordial vote of thanks was passed to .Major Tatilm and Captain Jones. Major Burlinson, in proposing a hearty , vote of thanks to Mr Gardener for taking the chair: Stated that what he had said had been said from What he felt to be a point of P«,b|io duty. (Applause.) ■Dbe motion was adopted unanimously,'the Mayor briefly acknowledged the compliment, and the proceedings terminated,