IDEALS OF SCOUT MOVEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1931, Page 2

IDEALS OF SCOUT MOVEMENT

CHIEF COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE. Prior to the arrival in New Zealand of the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell, a message . setting out the ideals and aims of the Scout movement has been broadcast by the Honorary Dominion Chief Commissioner, Dr P. Clennell Fenwick. In his remarks, Dr Fenwick appeals for support from parents and those interested in the work being done. The message- is as follows: “1 need not tell you anything about our Chief Scout. All the world knows what lie has done to- bring health and happiness to over two million boys belonging to forty-five different nations. He lias founded a new set of ideals and lias given every boy in our ranks an ambition to grow up into a good citizen. We are trying to follow him and to carry out his work in New Zealand, and have now over 11.000 boys enrolled as Scouts, while the Girl Guides have the same number in their ranks. The one ambition of the Scout movement is to tench the children to train themselves to become good citizens, worthy of this wonderful country. We do not meddle with religion. Every Scout is taught to reverence the religion of his parents, and every shade of religious belief is found in our rnnks, while we care nothing for politics. SCOUTS’ TEN LAWS. “We have ten laws. Our Scout laws say do this and do that instead of thou shalt not to this or that. We say do a good turn to someone every day, do honest things, do courteous things and do kind tilings. Our Scouts learn their laws from the following verse:— Trusty, loyal and helpful. Brotherly, com toons, kind, Obedient, smiling and thrifty, Pine as the rustling wind. “If you really rare I'm- tli ( . future of Now Zealand you nil! agree that nothing could be of givaier value 'ban a population composed of men and women who have passed through our ranks and are living according to the Scout law. If everyone lived according to the Scout law there would be no judges, police or gaols, for our Scouts learn to be honest and hm abiding. Doctors would have much less to do for our Scouts lead a healthy, temperate life. Our hospitals would be half empty, for a healthy boyhood means a healthy middle age. There would be no strikes or business 7 disputes, for our Scouts pride themselves on doing their best nnd giving (heir best. No employee who followed the Scout law would, fear hard times for his fellow workers, as good Scouts would he on his side through bad times nnd good. Do you not think this is an ideal worth fighting for? “DEEDS, NOT WORDS “ “Our Chief Scout is holding a rally in each centre, where you will see thousands of hoys and girls, the very best in the world, each doing n piece of Scout work. We do not march about and wave flags. We work nt our job, or motto being Deeds not Words, and Service to All. If you begin to think that Scouting is worth while will you help us. We do not ask for money, for Scouts do not accept money unless they have earned it, but we do ask for your personal interest. We find it desperately hard to get young men to take the work of Scoutmaster. We want good men only, as a poor teacher is of no use to us. I know that there are thousands of young athletic men in New Zealand would make splendid Scoutmasters if they would only be more patriotic and unselfish. “WORK FOR THE FUTURE,”

“I well know that if a call for war volunteers was made, thousands would answer it. We call for pence volunteers and few care to listen. Will you help this great movement by taking a little personal interest in it? It is sometimes rather disheartening to find how little people care for what we are trying to do for New Zealand, but we do not get discouraged as we are working for the future, and the future will show what we have accomplished. If anyone cares to help and form a Scout troop write to headquarters in Christchurch. Why not farm a troop in your own neighbourhood? The boys are anxious to join, but we must have the approval and assistance of the nnrents. I urge you to consider those things and join the ranks of Those who are trying to make New Zealand the happiest land on earth.”