NOTORIETY HUNTERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1933, Page 10

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 goingon among men and women to beat 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 happiness but only leads to further restless, unsatisfied hunting for more. “There is,” he said, “a craze in the nation from top to bottom to get. 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 tho charge that they are unwilling to learn from their elders. “Quite thy contrary,” he said. “They appeal to one, of their own initiative, ami are grateful for such advice as one is able to give them.” Arguing that, health is not. essential to happiness, lie said, “I have seen crippled scouts content with their lot and positively happy because they

were able to make toys to ‘happify’ children less well off than themselves.” Lord Baden-Powell further expkiini ed how he camo to travel, lie once had a dream in which lie arrived at the gate of Heaven, and was asked by St. Peter how he liked Japan. At, the reply that he had never been 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 sittingstill and neglected them. Go back j Quickly and have another try.” So he awoke, took a ticket to Japan, and got to realise! what a wonderful world it was when one mixed with : one’s fellow-men, 1