GIRLS’ LIFE BRIGADE

Evening Star, Issue 22248, 28 January 1936, Page 14

GIRLS’ LIFE BRIGADE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE Tho annual conference of officers and officials of the Girls’ Life Brigade (N.Z.) was opened yesterday morning at First Church. The Bev. R. L. Fursdon, of tho local battalion, conducted the opening devotional exercises. Mrs Gilman Dunn, president of the Dunedin Battalion, and acting president of the Dominion Council of G.L.8., occupied the chair. Miss L. B. S. Busfield, Dominion secretary, presented tho annual report, which showed a slight increase in the number of companies in the Dominion and a numerical increase in total membership. Nineteen girls had joined the church, and 11 had taken up Christian work. Chaplains now had equal status with captains in their relations with the Dominion Council. _ Reference was made to the recent visit to New Zealand of Mrs G. H. Cook, a vice-presi-dent of headquarters executive. Reports received from various battalions were referred to. “ G.L.B. Week ” receipts had totalled £92, an increase of 50 per cent, on the previous year. The work of the Dominion chaplain, the Rev. Murray Gow, had been greatly appreciated. The ‘ Bulletin,’ the monthly periodical of the brigade, had rendered most useful and inspiring service.

The annual balance sheet was then presented by the hon. treasurer, the Rev. L. B. Busfield. A credit was revealed of £2O. Company contributions had been forthcoming with remarkable promptitude. Both the annual report and the balance sheet were adopted. A discussion on the question of lapsed companies revealed a serious lack of interest on the part of church authorities in some cases.—lt was decided that earnest representations should be made to those responsible. Considerable time was then devoted to the revision of the Dominion constitution, and important decisions were reached.

Matters discussed during the afternoon session were “ G.L.B. Week,” “ Cadet Week,” and “ Equipment.” Tire session was concluded by a most interesting and valuable address by Miss Earle, commandant of the Auckland Battalion, on ‘ The Adolescent Girl.’ Tho speaker, who is an expert in adolescence problems, pointed out that, as all officers knew, the average girl, from the age of 13, presented many problems. They had to readjust themselves to life as presented by high school, business, or home. Their problems were largely physical or mental, the one reacting on the other. The aim should be not to “ spoon feed,” nor yet repel by lack of understanding and sympathy, “ Concentrate on the girls individually,” said Miss Eatle in conclusion, “ and not so much on the organising of your company as a whole.” At 7 p.m. 25 officers and committee ladies and a squad of girls attended to witness displays of company opening exercises by Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin officers, Mrs Gilman Dunn gave an outline of the day’s proceedings for the sake of those who had not previously attended. Miss Irene M'Crae greatly interested the gathering by an able talk on ‘ Drill Eurythmics and Gymnasium in the Company,’ with practical illustrations. The concluding item of the evening was the presentation of a paper on ‘Discipline in tho Company.’ Discipline must extend to both work and play in a parade programme. The spiritual exercises must provide the necessary atmosphere and they must be most carefully planned and prepared. Company formation and drill furnishes a valuable aid to discipline, and the order required must be of the strictest. The self-con-trol thus inculcated is carried out into every department of tho emerging life of the brigade girl. The paper excited much discussion, and the grave results of indiscipline in a brigade company were brought home to all present. A period of devotion brought to a close a very busy and* successful day.