ROTARY CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 136, 12 June 1933, Page 8

ROTARY CLUB.

ADDRESS ON OPTIMISM.

" ROCK-BOTTOM REACHED."

The' Hon. Geo. Fowlds, first Rotary Commissioner in New Zealand and first president of the Auckland Rotary Club, presided at to-day's lunch meeting held in Milne and Clioyce's Reception Hall. There was a large attendance, and amongst the visitors were: —Messrs. Jas. Macmaster (Scotland), G. H. Mackley and W. M. Page (Wellington), W. 11. Gifford (Tauranga) and W. Hay (Hamilton). A special invitation was received from the Rotorua Rotary Club asking that the president and other members should attend its annual gathering oil July 1. Mr. William Eraser was elected a member. The speaker of the day was Rotarian Albert Russell who spoke on general topics. The great need of the times, said Mr. Russell, was a wider vision and a spirit of optimism. A good deal of present-day difficulties was due to the fact that as a community we were endeavouring to live in the thoughts of yesterday while working out the ideas of to-day. This was a new era and our mental horizon must bo pushed forward to meet the altered circumstances. Undoubtedly brighter days were ahead, but tho spirit of brotherhood of man was never so greatly needed as to-day. The international outlook had been advanced immeasurably as a result of tho signing of the Four-Power Peace Pact, and the economic position had been greatly improved with tho recent advances in prices. Wo had readied rockbottom and what was now needed was confidence to recognise the fact. In that rcspect a good deal could be done by business people collectively and as individuals. Tho voto of thanks was moved by Rotarian D. Henry,