GIRL GUIDES GATHER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 118, 21 May 1928, Page 15

GIRL GUIDES GATHER.

PAfiADE IN TOWN HALL.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH

OBJECTS OF THE MOVEMENT,

Hundreds of people assembled to ■watch the inspiring gathering in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, when the Auckland Girl Guides and Brownies held their annual massed church parade. There were fifteen hundred members of the movement, and in their neat uniforms they made an unusually fine picture. For the arrival of the Governor-Gen-eral (Sir Charles Fergusson) and Lady Alice Fergusson, girls lined the route into the hall. In front of the platform, on which were members of the clergy ol various denominations, were banners fringed with gold, and flags heavilybraided. The Dominion Commissioner, Mrs. W. R. Wilson, and Dr. H. BuckleyTurkington, provisional superintendent, were present. Prayer was lead by Archdeacon G. Mac Murray, the lesson was read by the Rev. Thomas Halliday, moderator of the Presbyterian Church, and special hymns were sung. "Sunshine, happiness and peace are among the things to be aimed at by the Girl Guides movement," said the Gover-nor-General at the opening of a fine address. "Surely everyone in the vast crowd is thrilled by such a wonderful gathering of the flower of Auckland's girlhood and womanhood. Surely the unique spectacle of 1500 heathy girls, pledged to noble laws, must make the least of us flush with a great pride. "You must know that your great sisterhood cannot flourish if there is not uniformity in it; this is a thing that as you grow old in the days that are to come you will realise. I expect that the object of holding this impressive gathering is that coming from your separate homes and marching here in a glorious band you see more clearly that you are all imbued with the same ideals, the same spirit. "Let each one grow up into a useful, helpful, honest citizen. Iβ not that the individual object of your beloved movement? But you must remember that your movement is for the improvement of the condition of the whole world—an improvement which can be brought about only by the co-operation of each one of you. I hope that by so uniting in your grtfnd efforts you girls of Auckland will exert an influence so wide that eventually it, with the influence of other bodie* will cover the world and soothe it. All mankind will then be better. "To God and to Man." "We should always condescend to the lowest estate, helping each and every one, irrespective of clase. Your duty is to God and to man. You do not come into the world to have a good time yourself, i but rather to help others. I want to think that you will all go away with fresh strength, a new heart and new courage and inspiration to lift up again and carry on the laws to which you are pledged. I want you to know that it is in your power, however email 01 hi? you are, ta bring sunshine; to tte dull hearths of iSanj-homeg and laughter to the faces of your neighbours. Have faith and forever you will be happy. "That you are stirred by this, magnificent spectacle I know is a fact," said His Excellency to the parents and friends of the girls. "Is it not wonderful when you think that throughout the world there are similar gatherings? Surely ft is a cause worthy of the highest support. it is that you find it irksome at times that your daughters should give up so much time to this movement. But if you do it is a pity. To you. I would say: 'Do not sneer at their efforts to live up to their ideals.' Rather would it be better if you would help them, for' you will diseorei that thev are a force which has the oowpr of throwing sunshine and hanniness nt your door. I ask you to do «ill that is within your power to help thrai.