GIRLS’ LIFE BRIGADE

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 13

GIRLS’ LIFE BRIGADE

[By Captain.] Motto: To Save Life. Officers’ Refresher Courses. Officers of the Dunedin Battalion are reminded of the refresher courses being hold every Monday of this month, and are particularly urged to be present. It is hoped that this year will show a great advance in both numbers _ and efficiency in the G.L.B. The Dominion annual report shows that the movement is growing rapidly in New Zealand, 23 new companies having affiliated during the year. Wo welcome to the Dunedin Battalion the latest company to bo formed, 14th Dunedin, connected with Dundas Street Methodist Church. Dominion Executive. The Dominion Executive of the G.L.B. met in Wellington in January, the president (Mies D. Earle), commissioner of the Auckland division, being in the chair. The annual report showed that there has been great development in the work during the year, with an increase of about 500 members. The total membership for New Zealand is now about 2,500. The number ot companies in Timaru and Christchurch has increased so much that these have been able to form battalions, and the meeting gave formal recognition to these and congratulated them on their new status.

Captain Burton, of 7th Auckland Company, commandant of the Ist Auckland Battalion, was promoted to the rank'of major, and the executive offered its congratulations to Miss Burton on this recognition of h©/ work for the brigade. Attention, was drawn to the courses offered by the Government for youth workers in physical education. Someofficers have already taken these courses and others were urged to do so. An encouraging feature of thp development of the brigade’s work in New Zealand is the work done among Maori girls. There are now six Maori companies under pakeha leadership, and a number of companies include Maori girls. The badge syllabus for Maori girls is to be revised, for it is felt that they should bo encouraged to pursue the delightful arts and crafts of their race by introducing them into the badge syllabus. The opinion has been expressed by prominent church workers among Maori youth that the Girls’ Life Brigade is an ideal movement for their girls.

During the rear extension work has been carried out, tbo Dominion secretary having made successful tours in Canterbury and Otago, encouraging companies, conducting ofh-.ers’ training classes, and forming new companies. The work of the Dominion secretary his been much appreciated in each district she has visited. The executive decided that this year tours be made through Nelson and the West Coast, Taranaki and Wellington, and North Auckland. Several important remits concerning the working of companies and battalions and badge work wore dealt with, and recommendations were drawn up to submit to the council. The most important discussion was that dealing with national emergency work. The president agreed to draw up a circular to he sent to companies indicating ways in which girls can help at this time. It was agreed that the present syllabus in thrift, knitting, _ and needlecraft should bo set aside in the meantime, and that work suitable for use for national emergency purposes should he substituted, badges being awarded on this work. A list of requirements and suitable articles will be sent to all companies.