GIRL GUIDES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 141, 12 December 1923, Page 6

GIRL GUIDES

APATHY IN AUCKLAND

REBUKE TO CITIZENS.

(BI TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.I

AUCKLAND, This Day. Speaking at a meeting in connection with the Girl Guide movement the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. J. H. Gunson) said:—"This is a representative "gathering, but is it creditable that in an Empire movement of this kind, at which the Governor-General is present, that we have not a wider and more satisfactory response in Auckland. It is due from me as Mayor of this city that these things should be said. There is too much contentment among our community at present, with the privileges, position, and lot that the people enjoy. There i s no sacrifice; there is no realisation of what the Empire calls for and demands. It is time our citizenship generally realised more of their obligations and that they made more self-sacrifice and responded to these mqvements when a call is made upon them by the" head 1 of their city." (Applause.) His Excellency the Governor-General also spoke, and said : "Auckland, in becoming the centre for Girl Guides of New Zealand, has taken upon itself a great responsibility, and I share the Mayor's regrets that the city has not made a better show to-night 'in its support of the Girl Guides movement. I think this is the only occasion on which I have ever'been present at a public meeting in Auckland when I have had to express such regret. I am exceedingly sorry to note the comparative indifference apparently with which this movement is being treated by the citizens of Auckland. I 'think i 7 Aucklandera and New Zealanders in general had realised that the Girl Guide movement is one that is going to elevate the whole community of the future if it succeeds, Auckland would have been more in support than apparently it is to-night." (Applause.)