THE WORLD SCOUT MOVEMENT

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21409, 27 February 1935, Page 18

THE WORLD SCOUT MOVEMENT

FRIENDSHIP AMONG NATIONS LOUD BADEN-POWELL IN f'HRISTCHURCH The scout movement, with its branches in all parts of the world, r'newed enormous possibilities of pro-£ro:-s towards international friendship, :-aid the World Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, in an interview yesterday. Lord Baden-Powell was speaking of his impressions of Ihe Australian jamboree, which, he said, was notable for the spirit of the beys and for the friendliness among those of different nationalities. The Chief Scout arrived in Christchurch yesterday morning. He is accompanied by Lady Baden-Powell, the "World Chief Guide, and his two daughters. the Hon. Heather and the Hon. Betty Baden-Powell. With the party :irc Colonel Granville Walton, Imperial Headquarters Commissioner for Hover Scouts, and Mrs Walton. The party was met at Lyttelton by Dr. P. Clennell Femvick. C.M.G., Honorary Dominion Chief Commissioner, Major "W. E. S. Furby, Dominion Headquarters Commissioner, and Major J. W. Crampton, Acting-Metropolitan Commissioner Sor the Christchurch district. "Leaven of Friendliness" "My main reason for this tour was Ihe Australian jamboree," said Lord Baden-Powell, "and this was an even f,renter success than we had expected, as scouts from the Eastern nations took part in it. I have seen a good many jamborees, but this one was a big improvement on all of them. The organisation was good, although this is mainly a matter of routine. The big feature was the spirit of the boys. There were at the jamboree scouts from Australia, New Zealand, India, Ceylon. China, Japan, Java, Malaya, find the South Sea Islands, brought together on a common basis and actuated by one ideal. If this could be done on a larger scale throughout the world the youth of different nations •would grow up in a friendly spirit."

■ This year there were 2,300,000 scouts jn the world, said Lord Baden-Powell, ;md there were, of course, a great many more who had been scouts but had retired into private life. These millions were .spread throughout the peoples of the world, constituting a strong leaven of friendliness in opposition to the jealousy and distrust at present existing between the nations. Such friendliness wpuld lead to peace, not >;n!y in respect of armed warfare but also in trade and commercial relations. The Movement in New Zealand. "I have enjoyed seeing the boys in New Zealand again, - ' continued the Chief Scout. "The public of New Zealand have astonished us by their wholehearted interest in the movement. Scouting brings the new generation together in a unity that is both national and international: but we need more men as scoutmasters, as boys are being •urned away because there are not sufficient men to lead them. There is a great opportunity here for young men to serve their country. It is a worth-while service and once they are in it they will never want to get out."

The cresent visit to Christchurch is unofficial. Yesterday Lord BadenPowell conferred with local executive officers of the scout movement; but he will return to Christchurch on March 9. after a period of rest at some of the more secluded tourist resorts o£ the South Island, and this will be his official visit, during which he will attend a scout and guide rally. After Jeaving Christchurch he will attend a rally in Dunedin. He will sail from Wellington on March 19 for Canada, where he will make a tour of all the chief centres. After a visit to New York, Lord Baden-Powell's next engagement will be the world rover "moot."' or conference, in Sweden; and next year he will attend another jamboree in South Africa. Lord Baden-Powell is a keen fisherman. and he has come to New Zealand mainly for rest and for trout-fishing. He has already spent 10 days at Lake Taupo. soon after his arrival in the Dominion. The programme for the tour is not light, but Colonel Walton ;-aid yesterday that the Chief Scout is now in excellent health after undergoing two serious operations last year. He carries his 78 years well and yesterday he showed no sign of fatigue after the journey from the north. Official Call Members of the Dominion executive of the scout movement in New Zealand paid an official call on the Chief Scout at the United Service Hotel yesterday afternoon. The official party consisted of Dr. Clennell Fenwick, Major Crampton, Colonel F. B. Cresv/ell, Deputy-Dominion Chief CommisHoner. the Rev. W. H. Orbell, and Messrs C. D. Hardie, J. S. Middleton, H. S. J. Goodman, and G. W. Bishop.