GIRL GUIDES ON TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21289, 16 September 1932, Page 5

GIRL GUIDES ON TOUR

INTERNATIONAL CHALET A SCHOOL OF GOODWILL _____ c [FROM OUR OWN CORRV.SrONDE.NT] v * LONDON. Auk. 13 t Miss Irma S. Wilson (Wairoa) was the a only New Zealand Guider at the Inter- j national camp at The Gleddings, the | home of Lady Fisher-Smith, J.P. Thirty- < four Girl Guiders from nine different * countries were there encamped, seven being from Norway, several from Den- j mark, and others from Finland, Germany, Sweden, Czecho-Slovakia, and America. < While in that delightful part of York- j shire, the party visited many places of historic interest and many beautiful j homes. They, naturally, experienced very f cordial hospitality. 1 A delightful day was spent in York, partly at the Minster. There was time, i too, for them to be shown round Rowntrec's cocoa works, their host at luncheon being Mr. Arnold Rowntree. Hospitality was also extended by members of the Halifax Rotary Club. A visit was paid to Harewood, the Yorkshire home of the Princess Royal and the Earl of Harewood. On the return of the party to The Gleddings after their splendid day's outing there was a camp fire ceremony, and dancing formed part of the entertainment. Miss Wilson led the Maori poi dance, in costume. During the evening about 3000 Guides and some hundred spectators were present at the rally Camp Fire. Miss Wilson, with Miss D. Tanner (Wellington) and Miss A.'M. Faulknor (Napier) have recently been on an enjoyable cruise to Holland and Norway. In Switzerland they will attend the first training week at the new International Guide Chalet at Adelboden, which the Chief Scout opened a week ago. New Zealanders will recollect "that the International Chatel at Adelboden, with its beautiful house, has been provided by the generosity and forethought of Mrs. James Storrow, of the United States, her gift being extended to Girl Guides and Girl Scouts of all nations. For some years past the Boy Scouts have had a delightful centre in Switzerland. Opening this new chalet a few days ago, Lord Baden-Powell said: "It will, in effect, be a school of universal goodwill and understanding among the future ''women of the world. Everywhere to-day men are striving through leagues and legislation to restore harmony and happiness to a world torn and worn out by war. But leagues and. legislation are of little avail unless there is behind them the spirit of toleration and amity on the part of the peoples themselves. We of the older generation desire peace from fear of war or from desire for commercial prosperity; but the only true foundation for peace is love for one another. As yet this spirit forms no part _ of the education of the younger generation, as it should do if it is really to come into being. It is true that the Churches preach it as a precept; but the school teaching of history still recalls the quarrels and battles of the past. We need a practical training in iinselfish goodwill for the future. " This training we have in embryo in the Girl Guide and Boy Scout movement which is now established in almost every civilised country. "The opening of this chalet means therefore the opening of aschool of goodwill among the future women oj all nations. The leaders will gather here, in this beautiful and inspiring centre, as Guides from all nations to meet for recreation and to learn Guiding; but they will go forth from hero as apostles to all nations to spread the ideal and the practice of selfless goodwill and comradeship for others, regardless of any differences of country, creed or class. "This new spirit is one which is vitally needed in the world to-day. Patriotism for one's country is a noble aspiration, but there is often the danger of its becoming selfishly narrow in its outlook. The need then is for a wider outlook and of friendly understanding toward others. This spirit is essential if_ we are to have peace and happiness in the world. This spirit, too, has a higher attribute — it is the spirit which is essential for bringing about God's reign upon earth—the reign of peace and goodwill among men. "Therefore, from my heart I wish success to the chalet."