THE CHIEF SCOUT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20168, 21 February 1931, Page 16

THE CHIEF SCOUT.

LORD BADEN-POWELL WELCOMED.

HIGH TRIBUTE PAID TO NEW ZEALANDERS.

[THE PKBSS- Special Senrica.l AUCKLAND, February 20. His aspiration to develop in the youth of the world the team spirit which was so atrikingly illustrated in New Zealand on the occasion of the recent earthquake was; described by Lord Baden-Powell in his response to a civic welcome in the Town Hall this afternoon. The Chief Scout paid a tribute to the courage of New Zealanders, and* said no other colonials equalled them in that respect, Se and Lady BadenPowell came to New Zealand and saw everything looking beautiful; but they realised there was a shadow over the land. They felt deep sympathy with their fellow-subjects of this country. At thg same time, said Lord BadenPowell, he believed that New Zealand, being a young country, was in the end going to be of tremendous help to the nation. There was a big consolation about that. When people looked backafter a few months of sorrow, it would be realised throughout the world what a nation the Empire had coming up in i the Dominion —a nation of splendid men I and women, who could face their trials in a way ; that he did not believe any other country could do. Lord Baden-Powell said he knew New Zealanders under trying circumstances. All classes of colonials had served ; with him, and for pluck and courage and I reliability none was better. He would | say more—none could come up to them in courage. He had great hope for the Scout movement in New Zealand, as the spirit that was among the people now was going to help its advance. Although the Dominion was removed from the centres of trouble in Europe, it still had a voice in the affairs of the world, and in future it would have a greater voice.

la the Scout movement they had a great international "brotherhood, 'and they were aiming higher, now that they had 2,900,000 members, said Lord BadenPowell. The number of Scouts was not to be compared with the numbers who were available, and they intended to work on a much larger scale in. the future. He hoped the people of New Zoaland would do what they could to back up the movement, which was engendering a. spirit that was essential if peace throughout the world was to be maintained. In Europe there were titter feelings still extant, and they were growing. . In some cases, countries which felt that they had not' been treated justly pi the last war were'tonly waiting for another war to' win back what they considered their rights. There a will to make treaties and bring about disarmament, but he believed that those measures to preserve peace were absolutely futile till the spirit of a people wishing for peace was built up, and that was what the Scout movement was aiming at with the next generation. TOURING WITH THE CHIEF . SCOUT. [SHU PRBSB Special Sorrfce.] AUCKLAND, February 20. Lieutenant-Colonel F. P. Le Breton, who .is acting as touring commissioner for thaChief Bcout, Lord BadenPowell, served ( with the Royal Engineers prior,to 1914 on the north-west and northeast frontiers of India. Duiv nig thd Great War he saw service in Arabia and Mesopotamia, first com- ' manding a company of the First King 1 George's Own sappers and miners, and later as ; General Staff Officer and Com- | maiding Officer of Engin- | eers, Ist 17th Indian' Division. He is how on l 'the retired list. Lieutenant-Colonel, Le Breton's father, the late Lieutenant-Colonel H. Lo ,B re fc®» came, to Hew Zealand in' the late sixties as junior officer of tjie- 18th\Royal. ; Irish; Regiment. ' Ensign Le Breton was stationed at Auckland, and remained with'his regiment .for, three years ■ before .returning, to England in 1870.'' He was an accomplished artist,, and several Sketches of early Auckland .signed "Ensign Le Breton", are in' .-the family's possession..