SCOUT ORGANISATION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1931, Page 5

SCOUT ORGANISATION

LORD BADEN-POWELL GIVEN A WELCOME. WELLINGTON. February 27. Addressing a gathering of 300 at a chic welcome to-night. Lord BatienRowell said the Boy Scout organisation was not a one-man show. It was easy to make a suggestion, but it was ‘difficult to find people to carry it out. AI ucli depended upon the character and energy ol those putting the organisation into being. Even Matching was not a one-man show, but was shared by the men and women who suffered so much but came out on top in the end. He recalled the time when lie visited New Zealand alter the Boer War, when lie was presented with a piece of gold plate, an opossum, New Zealand furniture which filled his drawing-room at Home, and a Maori war charm which the .Maoris said they did not need now that they were the subjects of the White Queen. He recalled the civic reception he liiv.’l on that occasion. He had to be at the Town Hall at a certain hour. Oil arriving, lie could find the Mayor nowhere. Eventually he found him in a little back office, and, on walking in, the Mayor said: “Oh. you’ve come at last, have you?” That was his civic reception.

Then Lord Bndeu-Powell spoke highly of New Zealanders on the field of war. and the reliance to be placed upon them. He made a strong appeal for support for the Scouts and Girl Guide movements, which he regarded as one of the greatest factors leading to international ponce. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe extended a welcome on behalf of the Government.