SCOUT WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 8

SCOUT WELCOME.

"THE CHIEF" ARRIVES. LORD AND LADY BADENPOWELL. LEADERS IN GREAT MOVEMENT As the Aorangi drew alongside the Prince's wharf early this morning with the world chief scout, Lord Baden-Powell, and the world chief guide, Lady BadenPowell on board, a contingent of boy scouls, lined up on the crane verandah of the sheds, raised their voices in a spirited and deafening Maori haka of welcome. Before the last echoes of the final war cry had died away, Lord Baden Powell, leaning from the boat deck, .shouted

"Hullo, scouts. I am mighty glad to see you again. Thanks for doing that haka. Vou had better get off home now and have breakfast. I want mine too." To the scoutera in charge he called, "Better let the boys oil' now, and you blokes come on board and have a talk."

Before the world chief scout could get away, however, the boys raised another spontaneous haka. "I could not have done it better myself," he said. As he left the deck the scouts gave him three cheers that made other passengers hold their ears. ]x>rd and Lady Baden-Powell, who are accompanied by their two daughters, the Hone. Heather and Betty, and Colonel Granville Walton, commissioner for rover scouts in Great Britain, have had a full programme of scouting events since they left England on October 27 of last year. At each port of call on the way to Melbourne they inspected scout and guide rallies, where tumultuous welcomes were given them. Lord Badcn--I'owell was impressed by the progress that is being made by scouts in [Egypt, Ceylon, and the Malay States. In Colombo the rally took the form of a pageant of the history of Ceylon, native and British scouts being dressed in the various national costumes.

Great Melbourne Jamboree. Referring to the great international scout jamboree held at Franckston, Melbourne, last month, Lord BadenPowell said this morning that it was the first held outside of Europe and the biggest gathering of youth ever held in the southern hemisphere. Over 11,000 boys from 2.'1 different countries had attended. "The point which struck me most of all .was the brotherly spirit of comradeship with which they met each other and made- friendship*," he said. "This was specially noticeable in the case of the Australian boys, who acted as hosts in an openhearted way to those horn overseas. Many of .the visitors from eastern countries, no doubt, had felt a little anxious about the kind of reception they would receive in Australia, but their fears were dispelled from the first moment they met the warmhearted hospitality of Australia —the Australian public as well ae the scouts. The fortnight in camp paaeed not only without a contretemps of any kind, but in continued entertainment and intermingling. This proved the imporan fac ha friendship and good will are possible beween the different races where they are intent on a common aim." Rapid Growth of Movement. There are in the world to-day 2,209,548 scouts and 1,204,809 guides, making a total of nearly 3J million. The- movement began 27 years ago, when. Major-Geiieraf Baden Powell took a party of 20 boys to a camp on Brownsen Island, off the coast of Dorset.

With hie varied knowledge of the handling of men he gradually evolved a system of training boys to become eitiz zens worthy of the British Empire. He aimed to make them healthy, helpful and happy. As the movement grey in England other countries took it up, and it is a feature of the Chief Scout's work that he makes no discrimination for any country. They all follow his rules and apply to him for advice. Need of Health Culture. "The outstanding need in the upbringing of youth to-day is an adequate system of health culture," said Lord Baden-Powell. "Mussolini lias shown how by proper organisation it is possible within a generation completely to alter for the better the health and stamina of a nation. Hitler is organising the training of the German youth with the same intent, in both cases the training is imposed obligatorily and with military aims. Jn this direction the scout and guide movement has steadily practised open-air culture and is now, as Lloyd George would say, 'exploring fresh avenues' for further development, our aim being non-military, but to make healthy citizens, One of the first duties impressed on scouts and guides is service for others through good turns, and the curious thing ie that it is the one they rise to with the fullest alacrity. On this seemingly small foundation (the giving up of email personal conveniences or pleasures in order to render service) is built ui> the character of self-sacrifice for others.

"There are only throe countries in the world that have not adopted scouting," ho. continued. "Germany, before the Hitler regime, had a strong following of scouts, but now that the compulsory militaristic Youth Movement has been organised scouting line ceased. In Italy Mussolini has adapted many of the teachings of scouting in his military training of youths. Scouts are not recognised in Russia because they are not able to take the vow, 'On my honour I promise to do my duty to God. , "I am greatly looking forward to my visit to Now Zealand and to catching some of your excellent fish. T was most impressed by the fine contingent of wonts you sent to the jamboree. They wore grent mixers and formed bonds of friendship for New Zealand with many foreign countries." Recent Serious Illness. The Chief Scout, who will be 78 this month, has recovered remarkably from two serious operations ho underwent last year, but he is still in need of rest and relaxation. It is his intention to retire quoetly to some isolated fishing spot in the North Island after the functions in Auckland are over. The programme for to-day will include an unofficial visit to the Girl Guides' camp at Otimai and the scouters' training centre at Oratia, and the rally at the Western Springs Stadium this evening. Official representatives of the scout movement in Now Zealand who greeted Lord Baden-Powell included Majors J. R. Kirk and F. W. Sandford, of Dominion headquarters; Messrs. W. .7. Holdsworth, metropolitan commissioner; A. Service, city commissioner; W. J. Johns, commissioner for training; and J. R. Middleton, hon. secretary in Auckland province.