SCOUT MOVEMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 927, 23 November 1933, Page 9

SCOUT MOVEMENT.

Dominion Membership Shows Increase. Despite difficult times the Boy Scout Movement in New Zealand stiff shows an increase in membership figures. The twenty-fifth annual report of tile Dominion Council of the Boy Scouts Association, which will be presented at the annual meeting this evening, states that the movement has a grand total of 14,152 members, and the annual census shows an increase in strength of GC4 of all ranks. There are S7B - groups, comprising 7255 Scouts, 27y Sea Scouts, 4y(ju Woli Cubs, 415 Rover Scouts anu 1243 otticers. The report states that the optimistic reports which have come to hand from time to time from various commissioners concerning the establishment of n«w groups, indicate that the movement is firmly established in the Dominion, and the increase in numbers is evidence of steady progress. Although the total number of groups has increased by 84 during the year, the census would indicate that the average strength of units has dropped during the past twelve. monthsA This is no disadvantage, as the Chief Scout (Lord Baderi-Powell) continually' emphasised that no troop of Scouts should have more, than thirty boys, as the training is individual and not collective. The most notable increases in strength are in Auckland, Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough districts. Roman Catholic Scouts. Very encouraging reports have been received from all districts concerning the formation of groups of Scouts from Roman Catholic boys, states the report. Roman Catholics are taking up Scouting with enthusiasm, but are proceeding carefully until the difficulty of finding suitable officers Is overcome.

An invitation has been received from the Victorian Chief Commissioner to send a jamboree party from New Zealand to the Australian jamboree to be held in Melbourne in connection with the centenary celebrations in January, 1935, .states the report. A hearty invitation is Extended to all New Zealand Scouts to participate. Already Scouts propose travelling from the Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson and Canterbury districts. At present arrangements are only tentative; but- it is hoped to be able to arrange for Scouts and Scouters to travel to and from Australia and attend the jamboree with the least possible expense, the number people attending the Victorian centenary celebrations from New Zealand are expected to be such that special fares may be considered. ; The association is feeling the loss of the annual subsidy of £fooo granted by tire Government, but withdrawn in 1*929. Expenditure under all heading* has been reduced to meet decreased revenue, and until finances improve it is regretted that plans for the extension of the movement from Dominion headquarters, have to remain in abeyance until the financial situation imj proves. The balance-sheet shows a deficit on I the gear’s working of £23S 15s sd.