SCOUTS’ JAMBOREE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20876, 16 November 1929, Page 14

SCOUTS’ JAMBOREE.

YOUTHS OF ALL NATIONS FRATERNISE. WONDERFUL DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT. NEW ZEALANDERS’ EXCELLENT RECEPTION. The excellent spirit of fraternity which existed amongst all nationalities at the recent Scout jamboree, which was held in England, was made the subject of special reference by the Rev, G. E. Moreton, who was in charge of the Dunedin representatives at the great Scout assembly, in conversation with a Daily limes reporter last evening. Right throughout the jamboree, stated Mr Moreton, the Scout spirit was magnificent, nil representatives fraternising with no thought of creed, station, or nationality. The jamboree was also remarkable lor the spirit of democracy which existed among its units, for among the Scouts and scoutmasters were representatives of all classes of the community, peers and commoners, brought together in such a manner as to remove all trace of class prejudice, and to place all on a common looting. The organisation of the jamboree rcilected great credit on the English Scouts nfio assumed the responsibility for the preparatory work, and so well had they performed their duties that when the jamboree commenced the work seemed to run on oiled wheels. The New Zealand contingent was greatly indebted to Commissioner F. W. Meek, of Dunedin, who pieccded the Ecw Zealanders to England ■waufcements for their tours tin ough the Continent. nvnrM a i ni, ?p^l lin i f l r scoutmasters wns Ul tll vi!, 1 Park ’ 11C!U ’ London. All the Ne« Zealand scoutmasters undcrtho"„t, C °- ,rS f• ° f Lining, and all passed he examination. The course occupied four days, and was very instructive. 1 instancing the wide representation of "htcTihnt- * He ti^ ai jo orce ' Mr Breton tool tbo 4 t le r 43 6Co "tmastcrs who tr » M -««■» J. e z^p”4rfX,l .h; ,li a i Avae jriven a wonrlprf*i! b £ the English people, who ap. C i a T-V .high esteem for thl probab,y aa a result oi ii- ent behaviour of the New ZeahnAfldlT,rho wcrc i n . Eorinnd during the time of the war, while their bearin" and genera] conduct wo for the Scouts an added respect. They wore fortunate in having as their leader Mr J. R. Cooksey, of Hawke’s Bay. the commissioner w"’ Zea ‘ antb au d his efforts on their behalf were to a large measure responsible for the success which attended their tour. During their stay in England the Aew Zealand Scouts were also indebted to the High Commissioner for New Zeamud (Sir James Parr) and Mr H_ P. B. Drew, of the New Zealand Publicity Department, who were extremely helpful, while other New Zealanders in London, including Mr and Mrs J. B. Callan and Mr_ Cecil .Wray, also rendered welcome assistance.

Before the jamboree commenced the New Zealand section made a tour of the battlefields in Prance and Belgium. After proceeding from Dunkirk to Ypres, the boys paraded at the Mcnin Gate, that wonderful memorial to the unknown dead, and sounded the “ Last Post." The tour was then continued through the old battlefields of France and Belgium, the restoration work in the latter country being particularly noticeable, for surrounding battered “pill boxes” could be seen rich fields of crops, although trees were conspicuous by their absence on account oi the devastating effects of the great conflict. All the cemeteries were well kept, stated Sir Morcton, and those whose loved ones slept in' that far away land mipht rest assured that everything was being done to keep the last resting pldce of the dead inviolate. The tour was continued through Amiens and Arras to the Somme and Vimy Ridge, and the memorials to the fallen Canadian and New Zealand soldiers were visited, the sight of those memorials making one feel proud of the part that New Zealand bad played in the war. Although remarkable changes bad taken place in the greater part of the vast area tbat was devastated by the war, at Vimy Ridge and other isolated sections of the front the trenches had been kept almost in their original state.

Daring their sojourn in England, the New Zealand representatives, as the guests of the English _ Scouts, were conducted on a tour which extended from Land's End, through the watering places to Bournemouth and Torquay, a touch of home being provided in these towns by the sight of New Zealand flax growing luxuriantly in the gardens. The party then proceeded to Birmingham, after which some of the Scouts were taken to Edinburgh as the guests of the Scottish Scouts. Wherever they went the New Zealand boys were given a great reception, and it was obvious that the name New Zealand _ stood very high in the esteem of the inhabitants of the English and Scottish cities. At the conclusion of the jamboree the Scouts left Tilbury on the Orfovd, which had a total complement of 1870 passengers and crew. During the journey the Scouts were the life ot the snip, the exhibitions of scoutcraft and the concerts which they provided, providing a welcome break in the monotony of the journey. On their arrival at Gibraltar they were the guests of the Governor (Sir Alex Bodley), and were conducted on a tour over the historic fortress. _ The journey to Sydney was continued without further incident, and the New Zealand contingent then embarked on the Ulimaroa on the last stage of the trip. Amistice Day was commemorated at sea, a short service on the usual lines being conducted. 11 What is wanted _in New Zealand.” said Mr Moreton, “is a wider outlook with regard to the Scout movement. The .success of the Scout work depends largely on public support, and if business men could be prevailed upon not only to provide backing but to take an active part in the movement it would become a very real asset to the count l- ;,.” “ I am convinced,” said Mr Moreton in conclusion, “that the jamboree will bring lasting results in consequence _of the large number of friendships which have been formed among Scouts of widely different nationalities, for this_ should go a long way towards cementing a firm understanding between the different countries of the British Empire.”