GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21823, 12 September 1934, Page 14

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

[By Guider.J

RANGER DEBATE (continued). London is the headquarters of oiir world bureau, which is a miniature Jboague of Nations, which holds regular meetings of representatives from all parts of the world which have Guides. This bureau sees that the standard of Guiding is kept up, and publishes an international paper, the ‘ Council Eire,’ which is in three languages—French, German, and English. In the last copy of this the following extract is of interest:— “Guiding offers activities which can absorb superabundant energy and make it useful instead of dangerous. It can satisfy cravings created by modern civilisation which; with its industrial and commercial developments, has removed natural outlets from the reach of children. It can act as a useful channel and lead human endeavour into constructive endeavours.”

The training of children is most important. The Jesuits realised this fact. They knew that if they obtained a child while he was young and plastic he could be moulded to their pattern. In Guides children come while they are young and impressionable, so they' are easily taught the great laws of Guiding. There they learn of the vastness of our movement, its utter absence'of class distinction,. and constant loyalty to all that is best. At a time like this there is great need for a movement which will absorb our young people and train them to’be better and more internationally minded citizens. Our movement is'still young. It has just attained its majority, and by its definite attraction to young people, as its rapid growth shows, is coming to be a major force in the world to-day. We who are Guides at present have a special responsibility. We shall have the training of 1 the future generation, and it is to them that we shall hand on the lessons we, have learned. . ■ ;

Our work aims at making all Guides united on the -fundamental principle of-the Guide law. If one studies the Guide law of other countries it will be noticed there are a few differences, minor variations, but the basic,form is the same. All Guidos do their best to aim high and to develop all • that is noblest in their character. We are all, whatever country or nation, bound together by a common code, our' Guide law. If we fail in our endeavours we are failing tho whole movement as well as our own country. I want to stress this point, because the spirit of Guiding is intcrnational'and is therefore a powerful factor towards tho maintenance of world peace. What the world needs to-day is responsible patriots—those who are alive to the needs of their own countries and are unselfish enough to put their own ambition •' aside and work wholehearted for the good of mankind, Onr Guide law teaches us to put self aside; Through it wo : receive a more beautiful and more healthy conception of hitman relationships. Guiding is doing al,l that is possible to strengthen the hands of those who are trying to direct the world to love, justice, and peace. It is faith in these three things that we profess daily in our promise and our law.. Our knowledge of other Guides is enlarged through talks and games at our meetings. Through learning more about other countries and their special racial characteristics we realise in what ways our race can help them, and theirs ours. Another way in which our movement is training young people along international lines is the using of the world flag. This flag, which is the official flag of our movement, is just a trefoil on a blue ground. The trefoil is to remind us of the three-fold promise which all Guides take. Through respecting this flag we learn to respect the flags of others. . International Guiding is working hand in hand with the League of Nations to lessen the suffering of the world and increase its progress by promoting, -friendly relationships between the nations. There is no movement like ours. I have unbounded faith and hope in it, and 1, know that only by incorporating the love and understanding of all the young people of the world working towards a common goal for the betterment of mankind can these ideals be attained. . ■ —Leader' for the Negative.— The leader for the negative (Gay M'Cormack) began by attacking her opponent’s arguments as follow:—If the movement was undenominational in character,' how did it happen ■ that there were church companies,, often closed? Did this show unity? As far as international camps were concerned, what’advantage could there be in these it groups -were divided according to nationality? Even if all l nationalities mingled, language was an insuperable barrier. The tendency when mixing for so short a time’was to hurt the toolings of people of other nations' on points on which they were sensitive rather than to find out their good points, in the enrolment ceremony the term ‘‘ sisterhood ” was certainly used, but how many recruits were instructed in tho international aspect of Guiding before enrolment? The speaker then continued;— As has already been stated, the subject’ for the debate is ‘Can' World Guiding Help World Peace?’ Our opponent, in her endeavour to prove that world Guiding does help world peace, showed you the wonderful aims and ideals of the Guide 'movement, and after hearing them no doubt many of you thought “ what line ' people we are,” and felt as if world peace was already a certainty with so many highminded, high-principled people working for it. We are sorry to have to dispel that feeling of sell-satisfaction which we feel is too prevalent in the Guide movement, ,lt is a'fine body, wonderful in its conception and ideals, but are its ideals any nearer realisation than they were twenty-one years ago? We all knoV the -Guide Law and can repeat the ten laws probably without hesitation, but how many of-you have actually adopted them as the principles of your life? Do you not live a life in which yon don the Guide spirit and conduct with your uniform?. Then, can yon say that-. Guiding is helping any great world movement? It is tho spirit of love and sisterhood which, are inseparable, which should make Guides active workers among those striving for a world at peace. Yet what part do these play in the life of the Guide? Many are Guides for the love of the uniform,, for love of sport, for love of excitement, etc.—in reality for love of themselves. When these things 'cease to interest them, or other things have a greater attraction, they leave the Guides, and in talking over their days of' Guiding what do they recall? , Do they think of something done for someone else as a service of. love? No! They recall only the fun they had. We do not mean to say that they are no better for having been Guides. We believe that in many ways they are; but wo contend that they have never grasped the underlying principles of Guides—have never been real Guides. An' we not making a step in ihe opposite direction from peace since our movement is military in organisation? Its uniform takes a place in its life only comparable to the place taken by

the uniform in the Army and Navy. Arc these peace bodies that we should emulate them? Let us stop for a moment and answer this question. Are we not becoming worshippers of a uniform and outward show? We do not decry pride in a uniform ns in any dress, but do we not tend to stress it so that it becomes almost sacred? Ts it not dangerous to teach children the glamour of a uniform and parading to the martial strains of a band?— To be continued. BADGE NOTICE. Child nurse badge lectures resume this week at the usual time. On Saturday the class will visit Karilane Hospital, meeting at the gate at 2.45. Uniform must be worn. This visit is compulsory for all Guides wishing to sit for the badge, so others not attending the class are invited to be present.