FOR THE NEXT CHIEF SCOUT

Hawera Star, Volume L, 7 February 1931, Page 9

FOR THE NEXT CHIEF SCOUT

vyrio, if any, will -succeed Lord Baden-Powell as Chief Scout? asks the “Sunday Express.” This, the most important question that has oven been raised iu the -- years’ history of the Boy Scout movement. is now under consideration. It. is the Scouts themselves who must decide—tho founder does not wish to have a voice in choosing liis successor. Ho is now leader of nearly 3,000,000 Scouts in all parts oi tho world. Next February ho will bei 74. There is no question of “8.-P.” retiring. The points under consideration are these: Is there any one man in the movement who would be a suitable successor? Should he be called Chief Scout or should some other title be substiuted. How would he be selected ? Would a small governing body be better at the head of the movement? Lord Baden Powell said to a “Bunlav Express” representative that lie was in favour of an individual rather than a governing body. “I shall not attempt_ to nominate anyone myself,” he said. “I shall leave it to the movement. “One head, however, would he better than a governing body—if we can find the right man. -> “That is what headquarters is consi'leringi. A man who by his person's,. "h'tv can inspire the whole movement, is what is needed. He must he somethin «r more than a ceremonial head. “No it could not be my son; he is only seyenteein.

“8.P.” on His Successor

“There must be several suitable: men already in tho movement “There will be no competition for the job. Every one in the movement s getting on with his own particular work, and no one wants to take on such an arduous and difficult post. “If any one takes it it will not be because lie particularly wants to, hut because, his fellows want him to, and the man chosen may come from any rank.’ About the title of the nossiWio new chief. Lord Baden-Powell said: “That, too, I shall leave the movement to decide. I shan’t care when I am dead whether he is called Chief sfcout or not. Everything, however, will go smoothly. Nothing is being finally settled vet, but by the time of my death the principle will have been established as to whether there is to be a new chief, and. if so. who he is to he. “The movement will go on as usual. It is decentralised and runs itself. “What we want.” lie said, “is first to find out the feelings of British Scouts as a whole. The general meeting of tiie commissioners takes place in January and the question may come up then. On the other hand, it mav be later on ” „ , . . . The nuestion of the future leader of the Girl Guides has not yet been considered. Lady Baden-Powell is, of course, their Chief Guide. “I expect similar steps to those decided on by the Scouts will he taken,” said Lord Baden-Powell.