[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sm,—In a country like South Africa, where we have so many lets and hindrances in running the race that is set before us, the Boy Scout movement and the corresponding organiza- tion for natives, known as the Pathfinders, are of immense importance, an importance that will increase as time goes on. Teaching the duties of individual forbearance, self- restraint and consideration for the other person's point of view, they are amongst the most potent means towards that much to be desired end : the establishment by mutual understanding and sympathy of harmonious relations between the youths of various races and between the white and black youth of the country. These will be the men of to-morrow, and every South African who is not blinded by nationalism and looks beyond the present knows that in this establish- ment lies the only solid foundation for building up a truly great Dominion : the successful future depends on the willing co-operation of the black man with both British and Dutch.
The present is a critical moment for black and white in Africa ; for unjustified repressive legislation for natives, in force and contemplated, is estranging the black man and he begins to lose his confidence in the white man's sense of justice. With his confidence goes the respect which made him obey unquestionably in the past the white man's order, of whatever nature.
Racial feeling between Dutch and British, and now springing up between white and black, makes things doubly difficult for those who are trying to avert the impending avalanche. One can imagine the note of discouragement sounded when Lord Baden-Powell was reported recently in the South African press as stating the mission of the Boy Scouts in Africa to be that of making the nation able to stand against "the native danger confronting the Union." Whether such report was correct or not, workers amongst the youth of South Africa /nay take heart in remembering that to suggest any form of antagonism between the races would be the very last thing the founder of the Scout movement would coun- tenance or desire. Lord Baden-Powell himself would be the first to acknowledge that far from being a danger to the Union, the black man, if justly treated, is the greatest asset to future greatness which the Union has.—I am, Sir, &c.,
10 Barkston Gardens, S.W. 5. P. A. BANKES.
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