ROTARY CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 276, 21 November 1932, Page 5

ROTARY CLUB.

ADDRESS ON AUSTRAMA.

President T. U. Wells occupied the chair at to-day's weekly lunch meeting of the Auckland Rotary Club, held in Milne and Choyee's reception hall. There was a large attendance, and among the visitors were: Messrs. S. W. M. Stilling, 0. Russell, H. G. Teagle and J. M. Thompson (Wellington), and E. Syrett (Dunedin). As a consequence of the death of Rotarian Charles Rhodes formal business was dispensed with, only an address previously arranged for being proceeded with. This was by Mr. S. W. M. Stilling, New Zealand representative of the Australian Travel Association, who spoke on the subject of " Australia.' Referring to the immensity of Commonwealth territory, Mr. Stilling said that it comprised one-fifth of the British Empire. The population was approximately six and a half millions, and of this total two and a half millions was in New South Wales, one and a quarter millions in Victoria, over one and a quarter millions was in Sydney, and over a million in Melbourne. In addition, there were 02,000 full-blooded aboriginals, of whom half were still living in the conditions of the stone a <re. There were also 18,000 half-castes. The vast distances of the continent were referred to and transportation details of railways and tram systems were supplied. The speaker also furnished statistical details of the primary industries of the Commonwealth.

The vote of thanks was moved by Rotarian R. Angus.