NOTORIETY HUNTERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 151, 7 April 1933, Page 8

NOTORIETY HUNTERS.

CHIEF SCOUT’S CRITICISM. Notoriety-hunting was attacked by Lord Baden-Powell in the course of his Alfred Fripp lecture at University College, London, recently states the “Daily Telegraph.” “We see in these days,” he declared, “the feverish endeavour going on among men and women to heat records and so to gain fame and notoriety. “Before attaining it they seem to think that this means success. When they have won it they find that it does not bring happiiness hut only leads to further restless, unsatisfied hunting for more. “There is,” he said, “a craze in the nation from top to bottom to got rich and to get rich, quickly, if possible, through a lucky chance in the sweepstakes or tote club or Stock Exchange. Why work when by a lucky win you may make thousands is the notion.” He defended the youth of to-day against the charge that they are unwilling to learn from their elders. “Quito the contrary,” he said, “they appeal to one, of their own initiative, and are grateful for such, advice as one is able to give them.” Arguing that health is not essential to happiness, he said, “I have seen crippled Scouts content with their lot and positively happy because they were able to make toy* to ‘happily’ children loss well off than themselves. Lord Baden-Powell further explained how he came to travel. He once had a dream in which he arrived at the gate of Heaven and was asked by St. Peter how ho liked Japan. At the reply that he had never heen there, St. Peter said to him “My dear fellow, what were you doing with your opportunities? You were put in that earth full of beauties and wonders for your enjoyment and you seem to have wasted your time sitting still and neglecting them. Go back quickly and have another try.” So lie awoke, took a ticket to Japan, and got to realise what a wonderful world it was when one mixed with one’s fellow-men.