Unique Party From Fiji

Three Races In One

Contingent

AMONG contingents of Boy Scouts, from all over the world, present at the International Jamboree held at Frankston, Victoria, from December 27 to January 7, the Fiji contingent was unique. For the first time in the history of Fiji, the three widely different races (British, Fijian and Indian), had been joined together in one body as its repre sentatives; and perhaps one may see in the contingent an excellent example of the coalescing influence which is the basis of the British Empire to-day. Imagine as a parallel a contingent of Romans, Jews and Persians visiting Rome!

Under the guidance of Sir Murchison

Fletcher, the Governor and Chief Scout of Fiji, the Boy Scout Movement has shown remarkable vigour in recent years.

When the project of sending a party of Scouts to the Jamboree in Melbourne was first mooted in Fiji, the task seemed im possible. Despite the proximity of the Colony to Australia, steamer fares are high, and it was necessary to budget for about £30 per Scout for fares alone.

The relative measure of such a sum may be gauged from the fact that the Fijian gladly goes to work on a coconut planta tion for a whole year for something like £10 and his keep. Moreover, it was adopted as a principle that the individual Boy Scout selected for inclusion in the contingent must himself contribute half his estimated cost of £40—i.e. £20 each.

The Local Association had to raise one quarter (£10), whilst Headquarters un dertook to beg, borrow or appeal for the balance.

The Fijian Government gave a grant in-aid of £70, and the big company which controls the production of the Colony's main export (sugar) added £30. The balance came from the boys and their sup porters of all races—no mean effort, since the contingent numbered twenty-one in all.

What is peculiarly interesting is that the Scouts were drawn from the three races who to-day hold Fiji for the Em pire, There were eight Fijians, seven Europeans, and five Indians, led by a European Methodist Missionary of the modern, practical type.

Among the contingent were two whom the Governor decorated for gallantry, Ilaita Vuniyayawa saved a blind man from a burning native house. He broke through a wall and found the man crawl ing about the floor trying to find a way out. As the two got outside the house collapsed in a blazing furnace. The other, I. Sovau, rescued an old woman from a burning cookhouse. He also broke his way through the wall just in time.

The Fiji contingent of Boy Scouts, photographed at Government House, Suva, just before departure for the international jamboree in Melbourne. In the front row are British lads; while, in the back row, the strongly-built Fijians alternate with the slender Fiji-Indians. The Governor (Sir Murchi son Fletcher) is in the centre. The Scout Commissioner (Major Clive Joske, M.C), is seated at the Governor’s right hand; while, at his left, is Rev. T. N. Deller, leader of the Contingent.