Duke's Son, Cook's Son The King's visit to the boys'
camp at Southwold, with which he has been so :intimately associated since its inception, is a tribute to youth the more timely since it happens to come at a moment when 25,000 Scouts, 8,00o of them British, are holding jamboree in Holland. The essential characteristic of the Southwold camp, shared in rather less degree by the Scout Movement, is the complete equality and camaraderie established between boys Of the same age from very different strata of society. There is not on the whole a great deal of snobbery or servility in this country, but whatever there is is too much; nothing is better calculated to stamp both evils out than the principle King George has so wisely fostered for the last fifteen years at the Duke of York's camp. During that period there has been only one Duke of York, but there is no reason why there should be only one. such camp, and in fact others on much the same lines do exist. But the democracies are still behind the dictatorships in breaking down class-barriers in youth. Both the national physical-training and the national playing- fields movements should keep that among their recognised aims. Youth is becoming increasingly self-conscious. This week a new movement to secure recognition for a " Youth Charter " under twelve heads making for peace and social justice is announced, What strength it commands is not yet quite clear, but its progress will be watched with interest.
Previous page
