TRAINING OF YOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1940, Page 9

TRAINING OF YOUTH

PART PLAYED BY SCOUTING VISIT OF COM MISSIONER

"It is sometimes the lot of the older generation to destroy, but it is the destruction of evil. Just as a man puts a fire through his blighted cvod to rid it of pestilence and weeds, so has a fire to be put through the world sometimes to purge it of noxious growths," stated Mr. H. J. L. Cooksey, New Zealand Boy Scout Commissioner, at the 31st anniversary celebration of the movement at Hawera on Wednesday night. Commissioner Cooksey was addressing a vociferous and enthusiastic gathering of Scouts and Cubs supplemenled by reprcsentatives of the ELtham, Patea, Waverley, Manaia and Kaponga troops. While younger 'ooys were not expected to reflect on past experiences, said Mr. Cooksey, it was as well at times, while climbing the hill of life, to look down on the things already accomplished, and to apply the parallel, as every anniversary was observed, each Scout should ask himself was he doing his duty, was he furthering those ideals outlined by the Chief, Lord Baden-PoPwell? ■Of course he continued. boys must look forward to the future, and their strength in that future lay to a great extent in the observance of their motto. Prepared." The fact that Scouting was an international movement, should facilitate the work which must be that of their generation, to be makers of peace. In conclusion, Commissioner Cooksey reminded the boys of the war-time activities of their fellow Scouts in England, and the obligations that the ^ boys owcd their comrades "over there." To make use of every opportunity to leain and make use of Iheir training. Citizenship Training.

The Mayor of Hawera, Mr. L. H. Clapham, spoke briefly of the effect of Scout training on the citizens of f.uture Neal'®' expressing the hope that the boys would endeavour to follow in the footsteps of those overseas +o whose capable hands the Dominion's interests were entrusted. That training such Scouts received was of vital importance in later years was Btressed by all speakers during the evening. One of the primary functions of Scout training was to direct energy and enthusiasm to the proper channels, and this early direction of interests produced in later life the citizens, who would take their places on local bodies to safeguard the interests of their fellow citizens. A telescope for competition or award was presented on behalf of the Retumed Soldiers' Association by the president, Mr. F. C. Foden, who was thanked by the chairman of the Hawera Boy Scouts Association, Mr. E. H. Linncll for the practical way in which the association showed its interest. He assured Mr. Foden that the instrument would be a valuable addition to the Scouts efjuipment. Mention was made by Mr. F. Ramsbottom, chairman of the Patea Scouts Association, that of the boys in New Zealand eligible for Scout or Cub service, an astounding proportion, that of 80 per cent., was in the organisation. Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P., stated that though unfortunately ht was a little too old to join, the movement after its inception he had had the privilege of seeing Scouting all over the . world, and at the London jamboree of 1924, he saw youths of every caste and colour united in a movement where nations were nonexistent.

Infinite Possibilities. The international scope of Scouting, continued Mr. Dickie, held infinite possibilities for the peaceful settlement of the world in the future. He exp'ressed the hope that the organisation would grow and flourish as he was certain it must do under the capable administrators with whom its future rested. The following items were rendcred by the scouts and cubs: Song, Scout Ward; sketch, Pukeko patrol; recitation and Highland fling, Scout Dolan; skctch, Swift patrol; song, Scout Quin, accompanied by Scout Harris; cornet solo, Scout Linnell; vocal items, Raven cubs; conjuring, Scout Cameron; sketch, Seagull patrol; cub song, Tui patrol. Members of Scout troops and cub packs also indulged in games. Toasts were: "The Founder" (actingCommissioner Blackman); New Zealand Boy Scouts' Association (Mr. H. G. Dickie— Commissioner Cooksey); "Local Bodies" (Mr. E. Dixon — Mr. L. H. Clapham, Mr. F. C. Foden); "Visitors" (Mr. E. H. Linnell— Mr. F. Ramsbottom); "Old Scouts and Scouts on Active Service" (Mr. McRae-Fittall — Mr. T. Burrell); "Girl Guides and Brownies" (Mr. Winter — Commissioner Noble); "Hawera and St. Joseph's Committees" (Mr. Mulcock —Messrs. C. Robb and J. Drew); "The

Ladies" (Mr. Swinbourne-Father Kavanagh). The task of serving about 250 scouts with a bountiful repast was successfully undertaken by a committee consisting of Mesdames E. H. Linnell (secretary), Edward Evans. H. J. Laurent. A. Henry, J. B. Sawers, ,H. Ackroyd, Cramp, W. Pollock and H: W. Swinburn.