N.Z. Scouts Found Australian Bush Setting To Their Liking

Chronicle (Levin), 8 January 1949, Page 6

N.Z. Scouts Found Australian Bush Setting To Their Liking

The • New Zealand contingent of Bcouts at tli6 Pan-Pacific Jamboree Wonga Park, 20 miles from Meibourne, found the Australian bush setting of their cainp sxte very reminiseent of their homeland. "We f'eel very much at home, ' ' said Alr. F. Mclvor, leader of the contingeut. "We like the Australian countrydale very much. The gently rolling hills are similar to our own country, but our bush is denser and greener. The niaiu ditference is the grey-green leafage of the Australian eueaiypts. " ' The New Zealand contingent, numbering 101, ineluding 17 lady.Cub Alasters, are encampod in a palisade intended to represent a Maori pa. Vivid green New Zealand Scout pennants proudlv flutter from tall masts that mingle with the slender Australian gum trees. The teuts are ranged round the slop ing hillside, leaving the parade ground in the centre for ceremonial dances and songs. On some afternoons during the jamboree, the New Zealand contingent is holding " at home" afternoons, 'when various overseas and Australian Scouts are invited to witness traditional Maon ceremonies. ' ' So keeu vvere the members of our contingent to participate in the jamboree," said Commissioner Mclvor, "tliat they ' hitcli-hiked ; across the sea. Thev came by plane, cargo, and passeuger boats to meet their brother Scouts. But for shipping difficulties, 1000 New Zealand Scouts would liave visitoo the jamboree. Two Maoris. Two members of the contingent are Maoris, and all are lirst class JScouts. One Scout, vvlio had never before been more than 30 miies from his liome town, ■'Uiv trams and trains for the ilrst time -n his Wciy cto Wonga Park. The Maoris are the soqg and haka leaders. \\ hoir practisiug a Maori stick game to be presented as part of their pageant m Overseas Day, they had many interested Scouts from otlier groups watch- ■ iig their skilful handling of the sticks and keen to learn of the origin of the hauntiag Maori tune. Tlie .Scout movement," said Comuiissioner Mclvor, " is bigger than natious and bigger than creeds. We have come liere to met Scouts from other paris oi tlie world. We want to mix among them. We want to mcet Jads ot other nalions so tliat our boys will begin to miderstand a little of their mode of living, and wliat difficulties they will come up ugainst in the normal wav .of life. ' 1 Understanding is half the hattle," he v.ent on. "llery that is alroady takiiig place, when you see our lads sitting round a camp iire talking with Scouts of otlier uations. Lauguago diflh ulty is no bar. They cau Lalk by signs." Many !N"ations. Among tlie overseas conthigents attending tlie janiDoree at Wonga Park, wliich is 20 miles east of Meibourne, ca[)ital of Victoriu, are boys from Pakisian, Fiji and Nauru, Malaya, the Plnlippines, llong Kong, and South A f rica. Tliere are also groups of Latvians and Litliuanians vvlio came to Aiistraliu as migrants. Tliere ;ire boys from australia's fartliest outback as well as from every large Australian city and town. iu all, 11,000 Scouts are atteiuling tlie jamboree, wliich was officialJv opeued by tlie Governor-u eral of Austra-

lia, the Rt. Hon.. W. J. McKeli, on Deqember 30. Five State^ Governors , are attehding the jamboree, at which the World Chief Scout, Lord Rowallan, is a distinguished visitor. Lord Rowallan will take the salute at the linal march-past on January 9. The canvas town is datted over the one and a half square miles of rolling, lightly timbered country eomprising the "Yarra Brae" estate, wliieli was made available for the jamboree by Mr. Lewis Clinord, a ^Meibourne business man. There are swimming areas along the six-mile stretch of the Yarra wliich borders the estate. Tlie swimming pools are under the supervision of the Sea Scouts. All Mod. Cons. The canvas city — larger than most wartiuie Army cainps — is equipped with ' ' all mod. cons. ' ' from Ilve and a half miles of made roads, 10 telephone lines, and 50 extensions, and a 70-bed hospital to an open-air theatre in Hollywood Bowl style, running water, a post office with stafl-' of lO, a store, and a bank. \ There are shops for every purchase a boy might want — clothing, camping gear, fruit, food — popular milk bars and confectionery stalls. As well as other playing lieh|s, there is an arena where pageantry takes place daily. There are five huge camp fire arenas for the evening entertainments. At one of them; the complete Meibourne Symphony Orchestra will perform. A jamboree newspaper is published each day. Lectures in a practical mann er and setting in the Australian bush are being given bv members of the field Naturalists; Club of Victoria. "We would like an opportunity of returning Australian hospitality," Commissioner Mclvor said. "We had a marvellous time vvlien families of the Australian Scout members took our lads and girls and billeted us over the Christmas holidays, giving us the opportunity of enjoying an Australian C.'hristmas dinner. • "Now, we are happily settled in at the jamboree, where the same brotheriy sixirit is continued."