WHO WILL BE THE NEXT CHIEF SCOUT?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19268, 3 January 1931, Page 6

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT CHIEF SCOUT?

BADEN-POWELL SAYS MOVEMENT MUST DECIDE. Who, if any one, will succeed Lord Baden-Powell as Chief Scout? asks the “ Sunday Express.” This, the most important question that has ever been raised in the twentytwo years’ history of the Boy Scout movement, is now under consideration. It is the Scouts themselves who must decide—the founder does not wish to have a voice in choosing his successor. He is now leader of nearly 3,000,000 Scouts in all parts of the world. Next February he will be seventy-four. There is no question of “8.-P.” retiring. The points under consideration are: 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 substituted ? How would he be selected ? Would a small governing body be better at the head of the movement Lord Baden-Powell said to a Sunday Express” representative that he 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 be better than a governing body—if we can find the right man. “That is what headquarters is considering. A man who by his personality car. inspire the whole movement is what is needed. He must be something more than a ceremonial head. “No, it could not be my son; he is only seventeen. “There must be several suitable men already in the movement. “There will be no competition for the job. Every one in the movement is 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 he particularly wants to, but because his fellows want him to, and the man chosen may come from any rank.” About the title of the possible 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 Scout or not. “Everything, however, will go smoothly. Nothing is being finally settled yet, 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 be. “The movement will go on as usual. It is decentralised and runs itself. “What we want,” he said, “is first to find out the feelings of British Scouts as a whole. The general meeting of the commissioners takes place in January, and the question may come up then. On the other hand, it may be later on.” The question of the future leadership of the Girl Guides has rot yet been considered. Lady Baden-Powell is, of course, their Chief Guide.

“I expect similar steps to those decided on by the Scouts will be taken,” said Lord Baden-Powell.