OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1942, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

TARGET AREA? (To the Editor.) Sir—Whether our town comes within the definition “vulnerable area” or not, seems still a matter of discussion between leaders of public opinion. But another shock like the one this aged citizen received a few minutes before nodh today, when one of the “high, wide and handsome” boys did ah extra lowaltitude sweep over the village, , and he will be well in favour of zigzag trenches, public shelters, and such-like havens of refuge other towns seem to enjoy.—Yours, etc., “WIND UP.” Masterton, May 4. SCOUTS AND EJLS. Sir,—From the results of the E.P.S. meeting, held on Friday last, it appears that Boy Scouts of Masterton are to be deprived of. their opportunity to do their part should an emergency arise. The majority of these chaps have been preparing themselves for years to be of use to the community in any emergency, only to find that they are not wanted under the plea that they are too young. For some reason or other most people look upon the Scout Movement as just a lot of boys having a good time; it is only those who have interested themselves in the movement who realise its importance. Because a Scout goes to his meetings regularly and with a smile on his .face, he can’t be learning anything. What people don’t realise is that Scout training is carried out in a way that makes it interesting, and if anyone would care to read “Scouting for Boys,” written by the late Lord Baden Powell, I think they would be agreeably surprised. Training is carried out on the competitive system. For instance, a troop is formed of what is known'as patrols, with six or eight Scouts in each. Each patrol has a leader and whether it be first aid, signalling, badges or games, all boys extend themselves to make their patrol the best. This training over a course of years must be of some benefit to the boys, and so it has proved time and again. I could state! dozens of occasions where Scouts have been decorated for bravery and quick thinking, apart from and before this war was thought of. To come to the war itself, what have the Scouts been doing in England and other countries? Through our magazine, “Scouting in New Zealand,” come instances daily of their bravery and resourcefulness, so when I read that, in the opinion of the E.P.S. leaders the Scouts would not be suitable, I wonder if I may, with 24 years’ experience in the movement, be allowed to differ.

I have received a notification from the Chi'ef Commissioner of New Zealand to the effect that among other things, training in fire-fighting is to be intensified. With this end in view, I approached the Superintendent of the Masterton Fire Brigade, who readily consented to co-operate and use them as he thought best, and it was decided that they should work with the fire wardens in their different zones, three or four going to each zone. Should an emergency arise, these Scouts, circumstances permitting, that is if bombing itself had ceased, would report to their respective zones and assist under the direction of the fire warden.

With all these arrangements in hand, and a start already made, I am informed by the Supreintendent and through the Press that these Scouts are not wanted, and I ask myself why, as the training differs no more than before the war started, and many of the Scouts already hold the fireman’s badge, and others are anxious to do so? That is why I write. Why should the Scotits of Masterton be debarred from preparing themselves for this avenue of service, along with the rest of the Scouts in the Dominion, as they have done in the past just when preparedness is most essential? —I am, etc., A. W. ALLSOPP, District Scoutmaster for Wairarapa. Masterton, May 4.