A THREAT TO CAMPERS-OUT [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—May I call the attention of campers and scoutmasters to the Movable Dwellings Bill (ordered to be printed March 28rd, 1916, price 2d.) ? Clause 1 gives powers to local authorities to deal with any specified site which has become dangerous to health or an annoyance to the neighbourhood. Nobody can object to that. But clause 5 is in an entirely different eategory, for it renders liable to prosecution anyone who permits camping on, an. ". uncertified " site. Now landowners and farmers are not going to take the tyouble to get the, whole of their properties " certified!' by sanitary authorities, who may think , in terms of waterpipea and all sorts of sanitary, arrangements. The clause aims a heavy blow at the cheapest and healthiest form of recreation. Clause 9 exempts all military encampments, but no mention is made of any other experienced organizations, such is boy scouts or boys' brigades, in which the camp is the great annual event.
. 1 he Bill is said to be directed against certain hugger-mugger &ipsy encampments, in which case all that is wanted is power to deal with temporary and more especially with permanent encampments which are insanitary .or dirty. It might also very well be made an offence for anyone camping to leave the ground in a dirty state, but clause 5 aims at Controlling everybody and certifying every plot of grass by the Wayside. It should be struck out entirely.—I am, Sir, &c.,
ALFRED C. DEWAR,
Captain R.N., retired. .
Junior Army and Navy Club, Horse Guards Avenue, Whitehall, S.W. 1.
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