New Zealand guiding praised

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32587, 22 April 1971, Page 6

New Zealand guiding praised

New Zealand guiding,, is of a very high stand-' lard, in the opinion of I Mrs D. Parker Bowles,! Commonwealth Chief! i Commissioner of the Girl 'Guides’ Association. She is completing a tour of I provincial associations in New Zealand.

I The New Zealand moveIment compared very favturlably with organisations in (other countries, she said. AlI though she had observed I some national adaptations in programmes, Mrs Parker Bowles said she had found the New Zealand guiding very similar to that in Britain. “And, of course, you have

more scope for outdoor activities,” she said in Christchurch yesterday. Moves to modernise the guiding programme had brought back the early spirit of the movement, she said. “Then it was a game, during which you learnt good citizenship and service,”, she said. “Later on it became red taped, and set Now we are making it less rigid, with much less emphasis on passing tests and more on the children planning programmes for themselves." MEMBERSHIP GROWS This move appeared to be successful, because guide membership was growing she added. The only problem encountered was that of persuading leaders to "leave the youngsters alone to do their own planning.” “It’s difficult for some to change, but we want leaders now to be there just to give advice,” she said.

Ute spirit of service to others remained an integral, and very strong, part of the movement. However, in some countries, it was sometimes difficult to find ways of expressing this. "In some of our developed, industrialised countries it is sometimes difficult to find the service that needs doing, though we know it’s there,” said Mrs Parker Bowles. DEVELOPING COUNTRIES No such problems arose for guiders in the Commonwealths’ developing countries. “There, service is on your back door, and the girls are very active. When I was in Pakistan some years ago guides were helping a great deal with literacy classes,” she said.

Before a country gained independence indigenous leaders were trained who couid take over the movement in their own country. “Sometimes we wish we had more time, but we have many wonderful commissioners in Africa," said Mrs Parker Bowles.

The mother of a family of four—three boys and a girl— Mrs Parker Bowles approves of modem youth. "Oh, I think there’s a lot of good in the young,” she said. “There have always been—l think the modem word is drop-outs —but as a genera) rule they are marvellous.” One of the delights of her present tour —she came to New Zealand via Canada, and will go on to Australia and Papua-New Guinea —had been the chance to meet many children, she said. STAFF OF 200 “In our London office we have a paid staff of 200, and I’m tied to my desk so much it’s lovely to be out among the girls.” Mrs Parker Bowles, who is also Chief Commissioner for the United Kingdom, acts as the link between the 30 Commonwealth branch associations, and countries such as New Zealand, Canada and Australia. A Commonwealth conference is held in England and news letters and guide trainers are exchanged. Mrs Parker Bowles is hoping to return to New Zealand. “I’d heard all about New Zealand from my eldest son, Andrew, who was aide-de-camp to Sir Bernard Fergusson. I think it’s a lovely country, so I hope to come back for a longer stay,” she said.