GIRL GUIDES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20027, 8 September 1930, Page 2

GIRL GUIDES.

FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO FOXLEASE. the new internationalism. [By M. G. Hogg.] July 7th: \\'e> nrp iw actually i" camo. having come to Foxlease on Saturday, and having had yesterday to "get acquainted," and to-day we really began the Conference. This is the first big international gathering of Guides since the world camp of 1924. There are about 150 of us at Foxlease, moat of us camping; but the more important people in the house, and there ale a lot moro some miles away camping at Miss Mayuard's camping site, Warren Beach. The official delegates, either ono or two from each country, are going to have,the important Conference to discuss world organisation of the Girl Guide movement, while the greater number of us, two from each country, are having a training conference at the same time, to learn from other nations their problems, methods, and ideas. At the end of this week we shall join with the delegates' conference and havo the last four or five days together, hearing reports, etc. The rest of the people here in camp are English Guiders, who act as orderlies and do most of the work. They are most of tliem very nice sirls, picked Guiders, two from each county. We are in four groups, "Rockies, ' "Atlas," "Himalayas," and "Alps," each just like an ordinary guide camp. There are twenty-five of us in the "Rockies," and wo havo the most lovely site, just by the woods, and with n big oak ir: the middle of the field. I am writing at 6 a.m., while my companion, the other New Zealancler, Miss Smeeton, is still asleep; as there was no timo yesterday and will be less today. The Guiders at Warren Beach are extra ones from various countries, and will come here only occasionally, being called officially "visitors." I am . called a "Trainer," and the Trainers, delegates, and orderlies wear each a card with name and positiou in the Conference on it. Mrs Wilson (Auckland), who is our delegate, arrived late last night. In the "Rockies" alone we havo Tiainers from Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Egypt (a real Arab), Canada, and New Zealand, and there are Guiders from practically all the European nations, even Poland, Estlionia, and Latvia. The delegate from Latvia cannot speak a word of English, but most speak wonderfully well. Tt is very interesting to see the uniforms of the different countries; all have their own characteristics and they are all sorts of colours and shapes. It is rather wonderful that all these Guide and Sco.it organisations have the same Motto, Promise, and Law,, and tho same principles and ideals. Of course, one of the ideas of { having us all together is to help the countries to get to know each other better, and everyone is very friendly and happy. When we arrived on Saturday even- 1 ing we were welcomed by the Chief Guide (Lady Baden-Powell) and yesterday wo had a "Guides' Own" (the short service we Jiave in camp in Training Week), and then spent most of the morning in the swimming pool. In the afternoon we had a "Talk" from Mr Hubert Martin, the Director ot tho Boy Scout International Bureau, who-was very interesting. Later all the delegates and trainers went to a tea party " at Highcliffe Castle, the beautiful old home of Mrs Stuart Wortley, County Commissioner or Hampshire. We saw over a good j t ' le house, which is French, and lull of Napoleon'« chairs, Marie Antoinette s bed spreads, etc. Most of the. house was brought over from trance a hundred years ago and built up again, and is really thirteenth or fourteenth century. The garden is lovely and from the house one looks over tho green lawns and roses and fountains away to the chalky cliffs and; blue sea iu the distance. Later» life is very busy, and so much that is interesting has happened during the week. We have had the most wonderful weather for this camp, only oiio wet day since we came. On Friday afternoon Princess Mary came and spent * /,me bore. We all went down to the flagstaff to Greet her, and then dispersed to our camps and were then visited by her in turn. Our camp decided to entertain her by giving a demonstration of cooking without utensils. For instance, Switzerland made custard iu lemon skins in the ashes, Fngland made damper and "planked '■hops,'' Sweden made a kind of sweetbread, and we two New Zealanders cooked eggs—mine in the mud and Miss Smepton's on a hot stone. We had things well on the way when her Boyal Highness arrived and all came up and were presented and then went back to our fires. She seemed most interested. and was very sweet and nice. She looks so young. Luckily tho rain kept off till she had left our camp, but it came on later, and we had to nave our "camp fire" in the barn. Different countries did dances for her, and we ended up with a "haka" which I had taught them, and which I hope her Royal Highness appreciated. Lady Baden Powell haa been made by this conference the Cliief Guider of tho World, so we are very happy. The Chief Scout is coming to speak on Wednesday to closo tho Conference. hater • There are some wonderful women at tho head of the movement—Dame Katherihe Furze, who is chairman of the World Bureau, Dame Helen Gwyn Vatighan, who has been chairman of this conference, and Mrs Birley, Chief Commissioner for England. There is a Danish Countess in the tent next mine, very sweet and nice; you should see her knock in tent-pegs! One of the Swedish delegates is a niece of the King of Sweden, and there are many other interesting people. Our group commander. Miss Winser, is a cousin of Bernard Partridge. Miss Bray, head of training for England, was in the chair at our section of the conference, and was most, skilful and tactful Mrs Storrow, of U.S.A., a millionaire, has just given to the Guides a chalet in Switzerland. So many Rangers and older Guides go across there each summer instead of camping in England, and this will be a place for training them to hold conferences. Wn saw the proposed sketches and plans yesterday. The whole conference has been a most wonderful experience and we all felt at the end we understood much better each other's plans and ideas. .The conference ended on Wednesday with the visit of Lord Baden-Powell who spoke very well and later came with Lady Baden-Powell to the final campfire. They are looking forward to their visit to New Zealand nest year.