Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1933. WORTHY OF SUPPORT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 2, 13 October 1933, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1933. WORTHY OF SUPPORT.

The public of Ashburton will tomorrow have an opportunity of witnessing the local Girl Guides and Boy Scouts in a demonstration of thesr work, and of showing, at the same time, practical interest in the movement, tor though the two bodies are distinct, the principles on which they are based make them really one in effect. There are some people who, despite all assurances to the contrary, are still disposed to look upon the Boy Scouts as a militaristic body. The Scouts are trained in the arts of peace,no/ in the arts of war. There is no militaristic tradition in their ranks. They are enjoined to help others, irrespective of race or creed. It would be ludicrous to suggest that such opportunities for fraternisation as are offered at the international jamborees, when kilted Scouts from the Highlands, swarthy Egyptian Scouts in fezzes, and Scouts from Siam in national garb, are encouraged to make friends with the youthful representatives of some thirty other nations, are conducive to thoughts of martial aggression. In common with the Girl Guides the Boy Scout movement has for its objects: Development of good citizenship by forming character; training in habits of observation and self-reliance; inculcation of loyalty and thoughtfulness for others; teaching of services useful to the public and of handicrafts useful to the Scouts and Guides themselves. As regards the Guides, objection against parading in uniform is sometimes heard, but here again is an important and instructive lesson. There is no doubt that in a girl's life dress plays a large part. So often the consideration of clothes, or, rather, the lack of them, is a hindrance to enjoyment. By putting the Guides into uniforms all dress distinction disappears, and the poorest Guide is on an equal footing with the richest. The girls and boys are encouraged to place before them a high standard of life, and to reach out for the best in their work and in their play. The strength of the movement rests upon the fact that its ethical results are incidental rather than of deliberate purpose, that those who go in for it do so in the first instance "for the fun of it." The amazing success of the movement, m fact, has been that it is, from the Guides' and Scouts' point of view, "good fun," and something in which to take a pride.