SYDNEY-BOUND

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20690, 28 December 1938, Page 7

SYDNEY-BOUND

NEW ZEALAND SCOUTS FAREWELL AT WELLINGTON “GREAT PEACE MOVEMENT” (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The contingent of Boy Scouts who left by the Awatea this evening for the Sydney jamboree paraded at the steps of Parliament Buildups this afternoon. They were farewelled on behalf of the Government and the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, by the Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones. The Dominion Chief Scout, Mr H. Christie, of Wanganui, in introducing the Minister, said there was some significance in being tendered a farewell on behalf of the Government, for scouts claimed that they took an important part in the control of the affairs of the world—or that they were going to do so. ■'The Boy Scout movement is a great peace movement, in spite of what its enemies say,” said Mr Christie. "There are approximately 600 of us going from New Zealand, and we will be the largest oversea contingent in Australia for this jamboree. We are going to meet the boys of 13 other countries, and friendships will be formed, and so a great objective that we have will come nearer.” Great Responsibility ‘‘This jamboree will afford you a wonderful opportunity of mingling with scouts from other countries,” replied Mr Jones. “Although it might not appear so to you, there is a great responsibility on each and every one of you, to play the game and promote that goodwill so essential in these times to the promotion of goodwill among Che peoples of the different countries. What the statesmen of the various countries have failed in, you may succeed in—in bringing about peace among the nations.” Mr Jones referred to the international jamboree to be held in New Zealand in December and January, 1939 and 1940, and said the friendships which the New Zealand boys made in Australia would be renewed at the New Zealand jamboree. The leader of the contingent, Scout Commissioner J. R. Middleton, of Wellington, in thanking Mr Jones for the farewell, said it was not the fTrst evidence of the Government’s interest in the trip, for they had received the utmost, assistance from every Government department they had approached.