SOME REASONS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 200, 16 April 1932, Page 3

SOME REASONS

Seoutmaster) .

WHY JOIN THE WORLDWIDE BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT

(By the

I am sure that many people today are saying "if I were a boy again and was afforded the ppportunities of the present day boy, I should have no hesitation in commencing afresh my career as a Scout." Surely never before was there so little excuse for boys to grow up anything but honest, trustworthy, and clean living' citizens, as there is to-day when organisations of every known description are co-operating towards the ultimate solution of the important question which the "boy problem" introduces to every thinker. In view of all that the scout movement offers to boys in the way of satisfying their love of play and adventure, and hero worship, it is only surprising that any boy is content to be out of the fun. The most probable explanation is, that not having tasted the joys of the Scout's life, they do not realise what they are missing. Trust is the keynote of the Scout movement and the whole scheme is not based upon the old time method of dealing with boys; that is to say, by compulsion and force; but by appeal to honour and the noblest side of their natures, and not to fears of physical chastisement. Unfortunately modern education in state day schools is incomplete, in that it fails to train the individual character. But apart from character training the development of his physical nature is what will appeal to the boy himself, and it is in administering to tbese three gifts, namely (1) a boy's gift of hero worship; (2) his love of play; (3) his love. of adventure and romance, that the seoutmaster gains his interest provided only, of course, he can play with his boys. (concluded next week).