* * * * That Sir John Reith will make
a success of Imperial Air- ways is much more certain than that the new Director- General, whoever he may be, will make a success of the B.B.C. In that field Sir John Reith was a pioneer. He could be judged by no existing standards, for there were none, but no one who soberly considers the B.B.C. today can deny that whatever its minor shortcomings, its con- struction and development is an astonishing piece of work. To speculate on who Sir John Reith's successor may be is premature and not much to the purpose. Before the Governors begin thinking whom they choose they will need to agree broadly what the qualities needed in the head of a unique enterprise of incalculable importance are. He must clearly be a competent administrator ; he must be a man of imagination, broad outlook, and reasonably catholic tastes ; he must be strong enough to resist such external influences, including official influences, as' should be resisted ; and he should, if possible, possess the grace of a certain personal urbanity. Other qualifications, no doubt, are desirable, but if a man can be, found within reasonable distance of possessing the half-dozen I have mentioned, he will be as nearly the right man for the post as the Governors can hope to find:
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