BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1932, Page 7

BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT

"LIVING ON CAPITAL"

FINANCES DISCUSSED

Ways and means of deriving sufficient revenue to maintain the Boy Scout movement in New Zealand were discussed at the annual meeting of the Dominion Boy Scout Council yesterday. His Excellency 'the- Governor General, Dominion Chief Scout, opened the proceedings. The chairman,' Mr. J. E. Kirk (Gisborne) presided, and others present were Colonel P. C. Fenwick, honorary Dominion Chief Commissioner (Christchureh), LieutenantColonel F. B. Creswell, Deputy Chief Commissioner (Christchureh), Sir Alfred Eobin/ (Wellington), Messrs. J. S. "Middletori, treasurer (Christchureh), W. F. S. Furby, secretary (Christchureh), A. J. McEldowney (Christchureh), H. Amos,' Metropolitan Commissioner (Wellington), N., D. Stubbs, District Commissioner (Paknerst'on), G. "W. Bishop (Christehurch), H. Christie,. District Commissioner (Wangianui), Major F. W. Sandford (New Plymouth), Major C. T. Tatum (Manakau), Dr. F. J. Borrie (Christehureh), Dr. Marshal] Macdonald , (Wellington), ana' Miss N Wilson (Bulls). . '

_ After a long discussion two resolutions dealing, with-.'the-, financial position were passed; On the motion.of Mr. Middleton, it was decided that the prices of badges for, the coming year should be increased to. agree with the prices charged in Australia, and on tho motion of Colonel Fenwick it was decided that the Dominion levy of Is per scout be abolished. " - Mr. Middleton said that the financial position was not as sound as it might be. Since tho grant from the Government had been stopped the movement had been living more or less on its capital. The expenses, how, ever, were gradually decreasing. In 1922 they amounted to £.2000, last year they were down. to. £1000, and this year they were under £1000. , THE EIGHT POLICY? • Mr. Amos said it was a matter for congratulation that the resources of the movement had been so well looked after. He did not think, however,1 that the right policy-hadjbeen adopted. In his opinion, money contributed by the public should not be placed in reserve; it should be spent in training the scouts. Training officers should be stationed in the four centres of the Dominion, and they should > operate in the surrounding districts. If a reserve account was desired it should be built_ up from bequests and not from the; income. Last year the council decided to put a .levy of Is on all scouts, and instead .of there being a

ready response only £37 was received. It had taken Wellington ail its time to struggle through.the present year, and other centres were in the same position. Mr. Amos commented on the poor financial result of the recent rally. Two thousand boys participated, and only £28 was taken at the gates. The least one could- have expected was one parent accompanying each boy. A similar state of affairs existed at the hobbies exhibition at the Town Hall.

Mr. Christie thought that those directly connected with the movement should approach the people of New Zealand and ask them to supply tho necessary funds.

Colonel Fenwick said he had been attached to the movement for many years and he became very downhearted at the lack of public support. He did not like the levy of Is placed on the boys. Referring to. Mr. Amos's suggestion that training officers should be placed in the four metropolitan centres, Colonel Fenwick said that it was a good idea but not'practicable at the present time.. >

The chairman supported the levy. It only cost the boys a penny a month, which they could earn themselves, he said. "If that levy was paid, and I think loyalty demands that it should be .paid, wo should be in a good position. I.'

Dr. Marshall Macdonald said that the help of the boys should be solicited, but not in the way of a direct levy. It was hard on boys whose fathers were out of work. : ...'".':-.

Kef erring to badges, Mr. Amos said that the boys found it 'difficult to find the necessary money for, them" as it was.

40,000 NEW ZEALANDEBS IN ' " "•• ' VENICE. " " ■ ■■

But that was for one night only when Christchureh was transformed' into a city of carnival, with coloured lights festooning the river on which plied gay Venetians in their gondolas. . '.. . •

All thoroughly enjoyed themselves except perhaps a few unlucky . onlookers who ventured too. close-to the scene of the Fire Brigade display. and. received more than their fair ghare of the water.

Spending the evening in damp clothes can have only one result, ana it did not take these people long to realise that they were in.for more than.an ordinary chill. - - . . .-;

Like all other .Nev Zealanders, Christchurch people pin their faith to Baxter's Lung Preserver, and this incident only provided another opportunity for "Baxter's" to' prove' its wonderful value. ■

This grand old.remedy has for over 70 years been .'New Zealand's most reliable specific for- coughs/ colds, and all chest ailments." -.Pin: your faith to the palatable remedy with its valuable toijie properties. ■ .All. chemists arid..store's throughout New Zealand: sell "Baxter's" in three sizes—-Is 6d, 2s 6a, and 4s 6d.—Advt.