GIRLS’ LIFE BRIGADE

Evening Star, Issue 22896, 2 March 1938, Page 16

GIRLS’ LIFE BRIGADE

INTEREST IN MOVEMENT SPREADING ADDRESS BY MAJOR BLEHKIHSOP A short address on the work of the Girls’ Life Brigade was delivered at the meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery held last night by Major Blenkinsop, at present in New Zealand stimulating interest in the movement. The major was welcomed by the moderator (the Rev. G ; H. Jupp). The Major said she had been only four weeks in New Zealand and had covered 1,500 miles by road since she landed at Auckland. The Girls’ Life Brigade movement was not very well known in New Zealand, but it had been established in England since 1902, and was really the first of uniformed organisations formed in the . interests of girls. The Boys’ Life Brigade had been founded about 10 years before. Both bodies, whi(?h worked on identical lines, had progressed very well. In England girls often started work at the • age of 14, and usually considered they were too old then to attend Sunday school. One aim of the Girls’ Life Brigade was to keep such girls in touch with Sunday school work and to prevent them from going astray. The brigade consisted of several sections—the cadet, for girls aged six to nine; junior, for girls 10-13; senior, 14-17, and pioneering from 17 upwards. The first company in Dunedm, said Major Blenkinsop, was formed in Caversham 10 years ago. There were now eigh€ companies, six Presbyterian and two Baptist. Another Presbyterian company was at present being formed, and there was a possibility of two more companies in the near future. The Girls’ Life Brigade, the Major continued, was- particularly concerned with the spiritual well-being of girls. She thought the physical side of life was of little avail if the soul was neglected. The New Zealand Government had in mind a physical health movement, and that would be very fine if it was allied with the church, which could be expected to provide the right Christian leaders. The movement had been criticised, because it was a uniformed one, but the wearing of a uniform developed the spirit of discipline, and this' was necessary for one’s future life. Badges were .given to stimulate interests_ in certain vital subjects, such as-religion, domestic and health matters, kindliness of thought, artistry, life saving, together with special mission and international friendship badges. These latter were given to ■ encourage the spirits of love, tolerance, and international understanding. The importance ajid extent of mothercraft work in New Zealand was known throughout the world, concluded the, speaker, and special badges could be awarded for meritorious work in that connection in the Girls’ Life Brigade in New Zealand.