The British Boy Scout migration plan 1922–1932

Abstract

During the years 1922–1932 the British Boy Scout Association promoted a number of schemes for empire migration. Under the terms of the Empire Settlement Act of 1922, the Association became one of many voluntary religious and philanthropic organizations for empire migration with the establishment of a formal Migration Department at Imperial Scout Headquarters. Most of the Scouts went to Australia with a smaller number going to Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Rhodesia. The work of the Scout Migration Department had almost ceased by 1931, when depression and high unemployment forced the dominions to look out for themselves. Also the increasing autonomy sought by these dominions worked against the Scout migrations schemes.