GIRLS' LIFE BRIGADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22950, 31 January 1938, Page 3

GIRLS' LIFE BRIGADE

DOMINION CONFERENCE WELCOME TO DELEGATES TALK BY MAJOR BLENKINSOP The fifth Dominion conference of the Girls' Life Brigade opened on Saturday, when about 20 delegates, including members of the Dominion executive, and representatives and members of the Auckland battalion, were present. The delegates arrived in the morning, and in the afternoon were the guests of the Auckland battalion on a drive round the city. Later they were entertained at tea at the Unitv Hall.

At the evening meeting Commandant Dora Earle, of the Auckland battalion, presided. Also present were the Dominion president, Mrs. J. Oilman Dunn, of Dunedin, Major E. F. Blenkinsop, of London, national field organiser, the Dominion secretary, Captain L. R. Busfield and the Rev. W. T. Blight,, representing the Auckland Sunday School Union. Mr. Blight welcomed the delegates and expressed good wishes for the success of the conference. Ho said that the training of girls to fit them for their place in life was an important work, and if the brigade could do more to further the interests of the young girls it would be doing a fine thing.

Commandant Earle said the Auckland battalion had always hoped that the Dominion conference would be held here. .It was refreshing to meet, not as individuals, but as members of one great movement, with the love of girls as a common bond. Presentation to Officer In appreciation of her work with the brigade, and with good wishes for her future success among the Maori people, a book was presented to Captain P. Conway from the Auckland battalion. The history of the brigade and some of her experiences as held organiser formed the subject of Major Blenkiusop's address. She said that in 1901 the formation of the Girls' Life Brigade was proposed, the brigade to be in the nature of a sister organisation to the Boys' Brigade. In 1902 the first company was formed, its main activities being squad drill, first aid and devotions. When she came into the movement in 1914 its activities were much the same with the addition during the war years of concert work and other services. There was an increase in youth work in 1920, and about that time brigade headquarters met to consider how youth could best be served. In consequence of this meeting a programme of spiritual, physical, educational and social work was drawn up. Church Parade A church parade of the Auckland battalion was held yesterday morning. About 200 girls and officers and conference delegates attended a special service held in the Beresford Street Congregational Church. Eleven flags of separate companies, as well as the battalion flag, were grouped together in the pulpit of the church. The Rev. Arthur C. Nelson welcomed the visitors. Major Blenkinsop conveyed a message from the movement in England, and said she had been much impressed with the representatives of the brigade and the quality and promise of girls in New Zealand. The Rev. Dr. Alexander Hodge addressed members of the brigade in the Unity Hall yesterday afternoon. He

stressed the importance of the spiritual side of the movement, and said the quality of the work depended very largely on spiritual influence. The' battalion attended the evening service at the Baptist Tabernacle, the lesson being read by Major Blenkinsop.