GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22365, 12 September 1934, Page 7

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

By Gcidek,

(Ranger Debate Continued.) "London is the headquarters of our world bureau, which is a miniature League of .Nations, holding regular meetings of representatives from all parts of the world which have Guides. This bureau sees that the standard of Guiding is kept up, and publishes an international paper, the Council Fire, which is in. three- languages—French, German, and English. In the last copy of this the following extract is of interest:—‘Guiding offers activities which can absorb superabundant energy, and make it useful instead of dangerous. It can satisfy cravings created by modern, civilisation which, with its industrial and commercial developments, has removed natural outlets from the reach of children. It can act as a useful channel and lead human endeavour into constructive endeavour.’

“ The training of children is most important. The Jesuits realised this fact. They knew that if they obtained a child while he was young and plastic he could be moulded to their pattern. In the Guides children come while they are young and_ impressionable, so they are easily taught the great laws of .Guiding. There they learn of the vastness of pur movement, its utter absence of class dis tinction and constant loyalty to : all that is best.

“At a time like this there is great need fot a movement which will absorb our young people and train them to be better and more internationally minded citizens. Our movement is still young, it has just attained its majority, and by its definite ' attraction to young people, as its rapid growth shows, is coming to be a major force in the world to-day. We. who are Guides at present, have a speejal responsibility. We still have the training of the future generation, and it is to them that we shall hand on the lessons we have learned.

“ Our work aims at making all Guides united on the fundamental principle of the Guide law. If one studies th'e Guide law of other countries jt will be noticed there are n few;differences, minor variations; but the basic form is the same. All Guides do their best to aim high and to develop all that is noblest in their character. We are all, whatever country or nation, bound together by a_ common code, our Guide law; If we fail in our endeavours We are failing the whole ■movement as well as our own country. I want, to stress this point because the spirit of Guiding is international; and is therefore a powerful factor towards the maintenance pf world peace. “ What the world needs to-day is responsible patriots, those who are alive to the needs of their own countries, and are unselfish enough to put their own ambition aside and work whole-heartedly for the good of mankind. Our Guide law teaches us to put self aside; through it we receive a more beautiful and 1 more healthy conception of human relationships. Guiding is doing all that is possible to strengthen the hands of those who are trying to direct the world to Love, Justice, and Peace. It is faith in these three things that we profess daily in our promise and our law. “ Our knowledge of other Guides is enlarged through talks and games in our meetings. Through learning more about other countries, and their special racial characteristics, we realise in what ways our. race can help them, and theirs ours.

“ Another way in which our movement is training young people along international lines is the using of the world flag. This flag, which_ is the official flag of our movement, is just a trefoil on a blue ground. The trefoil is to remind us of the threefold promise which all Guides take. Through respecting this flag we learn to resnect the flags of others. "International Guiding is working hand in hand with the League of Nations to lesson the suffering of the world, and increase its progress, by promoting friendly relationships between the nations. There is no movement like ours, I have unbounded faith and hope in it and I know that only by incorporating the love and understanding of all the young people of Ihe world working towards a common goal for the betterment of mankind can the ideal he attained." The loader for the negative (Gay M’Cormack) began by attacking her opponent’s arguments as follows: —If the Movement was undenominational in character, how did it happen that there were church companies, often closed? Did this show unity? As far as international camps were concerned, what advantage could there be in these if groups were divided according to nationality? Even if all nationalities mingled, language was an insuperable barrier. The tendency when mixing for so short a time was to hurt the feelings of people of other nations on points where they were sensitive, rather than to find out their good points. In the enrolment ceremony the term " sisterhood ” was cer-

tainly used ? but how many recruits were instructed in the international aspects of Guiding before enrolment? The speaker then continued: “As has already been stated, the subject for the debate is ' Can World Guiding help World Peace?' Our opponent'in her endeavour to prove that it does has shown you the wonderful aims and ideals of the Guide Movement, and after hearing them no doubt many of you thought what fine people we are and felt as if world peace were already a certainty with so many: high-minded, high-principled people work-’ ing for it. We are sorry to have to dispel that feeling of self-safisfaction which we feel is too prevalent in the Guide Movement. It is a fine body, wonderful jn its conceptions and ideals, but are its 1 ideals any nearer realisation than they were 21 years ago? We all know the Guide Law and can repeat the ten laws without 1 hesitation, but how many of you have actually, adopted them as the principles of youi; life? Do you not live, a life in which you don the Guide spirit; \and conduct with, your uniform? Then can you say that Guiding is helping any great world movement.” ' ;

It is the spirit of love and sisterhood which are inseparable, which should make Guides active workers among those striv-. iug for a world at peace. Yet what'part do these play in the life of the Guide? Many are Guides for the sake - of the uniform, for love of sport, for love of excitement, cfc., in reality for love of themselves. When these things cease to interest them, br other things have a greater attraction they; leaves Guides, and in talking over their days of .Guid-, ing, what is it_ they recall? Do they think of something done" for someone else; as a service of love?.No,! They-recall only the fun they had-. We do not meant to say they are no better for having been Guides. We believe that in many ways they are, but we contend that they have never grasped the underlying principles of Guiding, have never been real Guides. “Are we not taking a step in the opposite direction from peace-since our movement is military in organisation? Its uniform takes a place in its life only comparable to the place taken by the uniform in the army and navy. Are these peace bodies that we should" emulate them? Let us stop for a moment and answer this question. Are we-not becoming worshippers of a uniform and outward show? We do not decry pride in a uniform as in any other dress, but do we not tend to stx-ess it so that it becomes sacred? Is it not dangerous to teach children the glamour of a uniform and parading to the martial strains of a band? ” (To be continued.) POST GUIDING. The Otago post secretary writes as follows: “I recently attended a company meeting where a speaker told of Post Guiding in a large industrial centre in Eng--land. We could not help feeling a glow of pride as we "heard what wonderful assistance the Guides and Rangers of that town were to their posts and any worthy cause which called for their assistance. At the close a Ranger, on thanking the speaker, said that they all wished they lived in that town so that they could help too! There is not any need to go to England to help—we have Posts Rangers and Brownies in Otago. I wonder how many of you will be willing to help us? Instead of having a weekly meeting as active Guides do. Posts have a monthly budget made interesting by pictures. That is where we want your help. Would every kind-hearted Ranger, Guide and Brownie look through her books and magazines and see if she has any pictures she could spare (fairy, Nature, humorous, Guide, etc.), and send to me to help lighten the task of our Post captain and Brown Owl as they strive to carry on this very worthwhile branch "of Guiding? Would anyone knowing a cripple or invalid girl, eight years old or over, who may like to become a . Post Brownie, Guide, or Ranger, also kindly communicate with me? Everybody please ‘Lend a hand.’ ” BADGE NOTICE. Child nurse badge lectures resume this week at the usual time. On Saturday the class will visit Karitane Hospital, meeting at the gate at 2.45 p.m. Uniform must be worn. Guides not attending the class may also be present. This visit is compulsory for all who wish to sit for the badge.