BOY SCOUTS' JAMBOREE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20323, 2 August 1929, Page 13

BOY SCOUTS' JAMBOREE.

SUCCESSFUL OPENING.

AN INSPIRING SPECTACLE.

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT SPEAKS.

THRILLING MARCH PAST. Australian Press Association—United Service (Received August 1. 8.5 p.m.) LONDON. July 31. The Dulco of Connaught was greeted with the Scout Veil by 50,000 voices in 50 languages when ho opened the Boy Scouts' Jamboree to-day at Arrowo Park, Birkenhead. In addressing tho boys tho Duke said it was an ennobling spectacle to see so many lads of ovory race and creed imbued with the same ideal and bearing aloft the same banner of mutual service and brotherhood. Tho Boy Scout movement was ono of the greatest landmarks of the age and would add the name of the founder, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, to tho roll of tho world's reformers. I

Tho march past was an unforgettable sight. A legion of boys swung by under the eye of the Chief Scout. The American Scouts carried the Stars and Stripes. 200 Australians carried the Commonwealth flag. Boys from tho rest of the nations followed in alphabetical order with flags flying and bands playing. A contingent of German boys received a particularly warm welcome from the spectators It was a colourful scene, owing to the varying uniforms, scarves and national emblems. Many contingents also carried pennons, which they raised in salute and dipped as they passed the saluting base. The contingents, which represented 42 nations, tho Dominions and the Colonies, took 50 minutes to go by 25 abreast. The Canadian backwoodsmen made a brave show in their yellow cardigans and wearing maple leaves. Tho Bulgarians woro gieen turbans. Tho Indians and Japanese were among the other pnpulai souadrons. Sir Robert Baden-Powell, in his Scout's uniform, was the recipient of a spontane ous chorus " Foi He's a Jollv Hood Fellow " lie gave an address, which was broadcast, eulogising the Duke of Con naught for his work as President of the British Scouts' Association

The ('li'of Scout also expressed the liope that there would he continued progress for the Boy Scouts Three thousand British Scouts gave an exhibition of folk dancing to music, which was broadcast. Then 1500 Scots danced Highland dances to bagpipes accompani inents. Finally, three cheers for King George were given with rare vim by the largest assemblage of boys in the history of the world.

PARADE IN AUCKLAND. ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING. SPREAD OF THE MOVEMENT. A mass parade of the Boy Scout troops of Auckland will bo held to-morrow in celebration of the 21st anniversary of the founding of the great international movement by Sn Robert Baden-Powell, iho Chief Scout, who is now presiding at the "jamboree'' on the shores of the River Mersey. The Scouts will assemble in Quay Street uudei Ihc district coniinis sioner, Air. W. J. Iloldsworth. The assistant commissioner, Mr. E. B. B. Bos well, will direct the parade. Assistant Commissioner A. J. Ycart bring in charge of tile Wolf Cubs, and Assistant Commissioner R. A. Woods in charge of the Sea Scouts. The procession will march up Queen Street to Rutland Street, where warrants will be presented to new officers and addresses will be given. The anniversary is of great moment to followers of the movement in all parts of the world, and at the mass camp nowbeing hold in England 50 nations are represented by nearly 50,000 Scouts. Tho Boy Scout movement was tho out. come of Sir Robert Baden-Powell's experiences in tho Boer War. On his return to England he eiiw how t.he Boys' Brigade movement could bo made to have an international appeal by encouraging the out-'' door spirit and providing practical attractions. On this basis Sir Robert realised that all the ideals of citizenship could be instilled into tho young in an agreeable way. Tho atmosphere was to bo his ally in establishing a real sympathy with tho boy mind. J'ho success of the Chief Scout's ideas is found to-day in all parts of tho world, irrespective of social distinction. In July, 1907, the founder held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island, off Dorset. In the following year ho published "Scouting for Boys," a book in which he put forward schemes for organisation which appealed to tho initiative and spirit of adventure of the thousands whom he wished to interest. Troops were formed in response to the appeals of both parents and recruits, and the movement has now attained its majority with nearly 2,000,000 members.