“A LABOUR OF LOVE”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12614, 26 November 1926, Page 12

“A LABOUR OF LOVE”

A FACTOR FOR GOOD WORK FOR SCOUT MOVEMENT OBSERVATIONS BY GOVERNORGENERAL The value of the scout movement to the community was made very apparent yesterday, when the annual meeting of the Dominion Boy Scouts' Council was held in the Accountants' Chambers. His Excellency, the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson). presided over a representative gathering of delegates, and manv matters affecting the constitution and the organisation in general were discussed. Brigadier-General Andrew expressed pleasure at the fact that His Excellency had consented to preside over the conference. The association was watching closely the development of youths* work in the Dominion, and believed that no predecessor in His Excellency's office had excelled, or equalled his sincere sympathy in this connection. Wherever he went, they saw him taking the trouble to visit the schools, and address the children. “But sir,’* lie concluded, “we believe that the scout movement is nearer to your heart than any other phase of youths’ work in the Dominion." "A LABOUR OF LOVE” In acknowledging the welcome extended to him. His Excellency said that what little help he could give to the scout, movement was a labour of love, because he was interested personally in the movement. ’*[ see in the scout movement, and the girl guide movement a factor for good, not only in this country and in the Empire, but in the world at large. ' It was tho wish of the association. he pointed out. to work in with - itizcns. and to get their support, because they recognised that the move™.nt to be any use must have the weight of public opinion behind it. “WORKING ON FERTILE SOIL” i he Mayor (Mr C. J. B. Norwood), in nelcoming the delegates, said he was pleased to see so many men turning 1 u®,) r attention to the scout movement, which was such a factor for good in the community. He referred to the attention that was being given to boy and girl work throughout the world to-day, and explained that in the boy scout movement they were working on fertile soil. Jt was "ratifying to him. who respected the movement, to find His Excele C ?L Tras P re P ar «J to sit at the head ot the conference, and give encouragement to those who sacrificed their time for the splendid work they were performing. YEAR'S WORK REVIEWED Brigadier-General Andrew moved the adoption of the annual report. He remarked that the executive, in its desire to increase by every legitimate means the representation on the councilbrought before the council the question of giving groups of country troop* an opportunity to send delegates. After some discusssion, and especially after hearing the views of Mr Horner that any country troops desiring to bring any matter before the council could do so through the nearest District Commissioner, the matter had been dropped During the four years that ho had * CI \ Commissioner and chairman of the council, lie had heard repeated complaints ot the “star chamber’* governmpnt of the movement by Christchurch- but the plain truth was that during that time he had seen nothing but a steady increase in tho outside membership of the council, due entirely to the executive’s persistent efforts to secure an ever-increasing number of representatives from districts outside Christchurch The gentlemen elected 1 hat day would trive Gisborne and Wellington each an extra seat, and Timaru and (Jamal u representation on the counnl. CONSTRUCTIVE VIEWS The question of local government had been dealt with by the council at its lust meeting, when the executive was directed to consider the constitution of loial associations, with power to act. A circular was issued to all commissioners, who were asked to submit their views on the subject. The replies received were interesting and very valuable. For the time in the history of the movement the executive was provided with helpful, constructive, and authoritative views on this question. It was interesting to note that, with only one exception, the commissioners indicated that the local association system as laid down in tne Imperial regulations was unworkable Owing to the great diversity of conditions prevailing throughout the Dominion the executive decided to allow cacii commissioner to carry on on the lines suggested by him, on the under.lending that a further report would he .-ailed to lan August last, and each com- j lioriing. These further reports were I called to riu August last, and each com- I uiis-ioner was evidently so satisfied with Hie u ora mg of his local plan and the movement was improving in such a remarkable m,-tuner that the executive decided to 1.-t well alone for a further year and this view was endorsed by his l.xrellene.v t In. Govern.ir-General. H is quite evident now that tho forcing of a stereotyped system of local associations as provided lor in the Imperial rules -cud regulation, on all districts alike ".a- a mistake. DUNEDIN JAMBOREE l.eferring to the activities of the past, y-ar, Hrigadirr-Geueral Andrew said I hat the outstanding event, was the concentration of Seoul* at Dunedin, in "Inch every district and country troop participated. That was a fine testimony lo the I lioroiigliness with which Mr Meek ami those associated with him handled the liusim -s. There had been a rerord of sloadv progress in all dirci-lion-s. During tin'- pasl - tour yea is the movement had grown from 3400 to 8000 members. There was considerable improvement in connection with tho Sea Scouts, and there were excellent companies at Aur-klnnd. Wellington, Nelson ami DvlteHop, lot there I 1 were too many seaside, lake, or river I 1

places whore there "wore none. He had promised Lord Jollicoe that the as**n. elation would yet have 1(M!f) Sea Scouts. and sixain asked all commissionei's to "iro Hus matter serious consideration. Tho Scout movement in New Zealand, the speaker said in conclusion, wa« now on a hotter fooliny than lie had ever known it, hut could .still he carried to creator heights, and there was no reason why the Sr-out movement in New Zealand c lv old not. he the finest in the B’”*is!i Empire. Thr annual report and halance-sheol won. »dented. The follow!I- imw member* were eleefed to Dm council r-.-Messps H. A Tnn'fi .Tonox (Tinianit, H. <‘lprk end A TT Collier •’Hamilton’', T?. Kirk 'Gisborne! T. K V. sVdd fin . M.T>. tflrevmouth V C M.G. NiiM.nnii Brh-jdier.Gor.e,.;,! Andrew was ro-eleet. ad ch; , " , m:in for Mie omuiin ,r vmr while* pev. W FT Ovhell. Messrs If/ H. Smith and H. ,F .1, Goodman wen* rennpointed In fi l l Ihe vacancies Umf had occurred •1, I fir | i vf. itt,,,.. Til.' .lele-rates "Pin Ifip j-mpkls of Dip Dominion .-xppiiHtp nt Inn-fipoo. "•lien tfip const of honour wpk Mr \V7. I) M„rt Rri7Pilior-Gpnpr;il Andrew 'velromp'l Mr Hoot nml referred to tfip rnlnpWr ci,r>O.rl .-iron 1t,,. P„v 5~0,,| morer-ont fix I’otui'ans thruuofioiit tile Dominion.