LEADERS WANTED IN YOUTH MOVEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22593, 23 March 1948, Page 4

LEADERS WANTED IN YOUTH MOVEMENTS

CAN THEN EXPAND

CHIEF GUIDE’S APPEAL Ail appeal for more loaders in order that more children may be enrolled in the Scouting and Guiding movements, and for actual service, rather than just lip service, was made bv Lady BadenPowell, G.8.E., ‘World Chief Guide, in speaking to members of the Gisborne Rotary Club at their weekly luncheon yesterday.

Scouting and Guiding were expanding rapidly in many countries, but always was handicapped most by the lack of leaders, said Lady BadenPowell. She was sure that the numbers in the movement could be doubled and consequently a great deal more good could be done amongst the youth of today if leaders were available. She had attended many Guide rallies, there sometimes being thousands of children present. It did not matter how many were in uniform, there was always a much greater number of small urchins standing on the outskirts of the rally waiting to be brought into the movement, but, unfortunately, lacking the leadership for that move. “This is a very important time in world history, and we must de-

velop all that is good and fine in

our youth in order that they will be 'an influence for good in the world,” continued the World Chief Guide.

Rotary and Scouting and Guiding had very much in common and they were all going in the same direction. Behind both movements was the thought for the well-being of the community, and the aim for a high standard of life and work, and the promotion of understanding, tolerance and goodwill amongst the peoples of the world.

Idea Spread Through World

She rejoiced to find that in many towns Rotarians assisted the Scouting and Guiding movements and were doing a great service.

“Scouting began in the same way as Rotary—as an idea in one man's mind and that idea has spread throughout the world,” said Lady Baden-Powell. “During the 1914-18 war scouting continued to grow, and spread from England into many countries. In fact, some countries almost outstripped England and the movement was promoted as part of the national life of the country. “These countries realised that Scouting and Guiding developed the best traits of character in a boy or girl, and they were the citizens of tomorrow.”

During the Second World War the movement had flourished, although throughout Europe it had had to go underground. This appeared to have inspired and stimulated the movement, however, tpid in some countries the number of Guides and Scouts had increased. The boys and girls had assisted the resistance movement and had done everything possible against the opposition. The excellent effect of Guiding on girls was illustrated during the war, when, following a census taken amongst a group of women in the services, it was found that only 25 per cent, of those in the ranks had received Guide training. However, amongst the officers 85 per cent, of the women had been Guides in their youth. Happy Memories of Gisborne

“Therefore, Guide training, and Scout training, too, makes for leadership and self-reliance," said Lady Baden-Powell.

“I shall take many happy memories of Gisborne away with me, not only of the Scouts and Guides I have met here, but also of the very kindly reception given to me by the parents and the older people of the district,” concluded the speaker. In proposing a vote of thanks to Lady Baden-Powell, the chairman for the day, Mr. J. Leggat, said that Rotary and Scouting and Guiding were part of the life in a freedom-loving Dominion and it was everyone’s responsibility to help that movement, so that the present mode of life might be maintained.