ELTHAM SCOUT WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 4

ELTHAM SCOUT WORK

YISIT BY C0MMISSI0NER A visit was made to Eltham Boy Scouts and Cubs by Commissioner J. R. H: Cooksey, who expressed satisfaction with the standard of their work. He afterwards gave an address to the boys' parents in the Foresters' Hall, being introduced by the president of the committee, Mr. A. L. Picard. Commissioner Cooksey said that he was always pleased to visit troops ,in the smaller towns. Parents would wonder what would happen to their boys now that the country was facing a great danger. Our allies had crumbled as their national character had crumbled. Hitler had got hold of youth who wanted excitement and romance, and put their work into evil channels. The signing of a peace treaty would not finish this war. Our boys had a job to do, and it was their duty to overcome the brutality which had been drilled into the youth of Germany. Before the war the Scout movement had been organised in 42 countries, but the dictators had stamped it out. Commissioner Cooksey appealed to parents, especiallv to fathers, to • give their support to the Scout movement, as t.o-day their' assistance was needed more than ever. He was of the opinion that aftar the war a fine generation would grow up, and there would be social changes. Last year the number of Scouts in New Zealand had increased by 2000, the year before by 1700, and a further increase was expected this year. The speaker concluded by extending an appreciation to the local committee from headquarters.