Dominion Conference Of Guide Association

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7011, 22 November 1932, Page 9

Dominion Conference Of Guide Association

To thoroughly discuss tho work of the Girl Guido movemont in New Zealand, to gain closer touch with its different branches, and to gain fresh stimulus aud inspiration for its furtherance, was the mainspring of the conference of the Dominion Council of the Girl Guide Association, which opened in Auckland last week. Combined with this meeting was a conference of tho .■provincial commissioners. Tho report of tho chief commissioner, Mrs. \V. R. Wilson, stated that despite tho fact that this had been one of the hardest years in the history of New Zealand, numbers had fallen very slightly. There had been an increase in tho numbers of Guides and Rangers, which was a definito step in the progress of the association. An important I event had been tho 21st. birthday of | tho movement. Another was tho winning of the Red Cord diploma by Miss Burgin, who was tho first New Zealander to win this distinction. This diploma entitled tho holder to list Guiders for the Bluo Cord diploma and it would undoubtedly increase the efficiency of the New Zealand Guides. The loss of tho Government subsidy and of free railway passes had been greatly felt, tho latter making travelling almost impossible. Appreciation was expressed of the help and backing of the Dominion cxceutivo council, of the Guidors of all ranks, headquarters staff, etc., and to Mrs. Tolhurst warm thanks were expressed of all the help sho had given. Tho reports and balance-sheet were adopted. Dr. Margaret Knight, head of the Bangers throughout the Dominion, reported that Ranging showed a largo increase. A new venture had been the formation of Ranger committees, which brought the companies into touch with each other. Activities throughout the Dominion were touched upon, among them tho social service work carried out in Canterbury. There the Canterbury companies collected funds to send poor children to the Otaki health camp; they also collected clothes, produce and goods for the Ashburton unemployed and adopted postRangcr infantile paralysis cases. They also helped hospital nurses by feeding helpless patients, helped the Plunket Society and did other social service work.

Reports from the following provincial commissioners were received:— Mrs. Macdonald, Southland; Miss Barron, Otago; Miss Cox, Canterbury; Miss E. Cray, Nelson; Mrs. Evatt, Marlborough; Mrs. M. Tweed, Wellington; Mrs. Morrison, Taranaki; Mrs. Coates, Auckland; Miss McHardy, Hawke’s Bay; Mrs. E. B. Milsom, Earatonga Guides. Mrs. Battle reported for the “Loncs" (girls who aro far from the centres and for whom work is done by correspondence), for whom she is head. The general report, presented by the secretary, Mrs. E. V. Alison, junior, stated that tho total number of Guides, Guiders and Brownies showed a slight decrease of 19 during tho past year. Commissioners totalled 93; secretaries, 93; Guide Companies, 320; Ranger Companies, 67; Brownie Backs, 213; Lone Companies, 16; Sea Rangers Companies, 1; Bost Companies, S. These in turn comprised a membership as follows: Lone Guides, 142; Guides, 5720; Guiders, SSI; Brownies, 3360; Rangers, 775; Sea Rangers, 12; Bost Guides, 71; Bost Rangers, 3.

On account of the financial depression and also due to tho fact that the levy 'on the provinces had been reduced to tHalf, the financial position had Suffered somewhat. The reduction had been made in consideration of £3OO profit

from the rally which had been invested and had not been touched. The report also stated that there had been no Government subsidy. A big handicap was faced in the duty that was placed on goods for the Guide shops, every £IOO worth of goods had been landed costing approximately £5 in duty and excahnge. In analysing and summing up the bal-ance-sheet, Air. Tunk’s congratulated the council upon its financial position and paid a tribute to its organisation of resources. Its position was such that there was no necessity to call upon its reserve fund, as it was holding its own so far as finances were concerned.

Mrs. Tweed, Wellington, spoke of the good work which had been done in that district by Miss Joyce Duthie, who had won the Blue Cord in England. A little girl had been adopted and the Guides had provided her with clothes, Mrs. Coates, Auckland, reported that, numbers were increasing slightly in tho city. Mrs. Battle, head of tho Loncs, said that they had 247 members. Miss McHardy, Hawke’s Bay, Said the work was going on well, but the last earthquake in Wairoa had dono much personal damage, and Wairoa was very grateful for the gift of china which was mado by tho Guides to tho children, and of groceries to their parents, who were told it was tho gift of the Guides. Mrs. Tolhurst briefly reported for the work done in Rarotonga, of which Mrs. Ellison was president.