SERVICE AND SELF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 11

SERVICE AND SELF.

ADDRESS BY MISS ELSIE ANDREWS

"Arnia,tnetits will never preserve the British Empire/; said Miss Elsie Andrews, of New Plymouth, in the course of an address to the Overseas League yesterday afternoon, "Only you and I can do that." In this way Miss Andrews proceeded to a kindly ftnd constructive criticism of the League's creed in which members pledge themselves to maintain the glorious heritage that haft been handed down to them by their fathers. To maintain a heritage or to hand on a heritage was not enough, Miss j Andrews contended an Empire could not I ■'tand still, for a condition of stasia | meant disruption. "The British Empire j was not brought into being by maintaining the status quo," continued' Miss Andrews, "The dynamic forces that created it arc still at work, but in a different way. I question very much whether we have the right to rest oil our forefathers' laurels, to accepts our. heritage because it is a goodlji heritage. The world owes all its progress to those people who contribute more than they take away. Peace will coriie only by the action of the individual, which gradually becomes multiplied to form public opinion and so influences governments. By these actions, and theso only, can we add to our heritage and give it a lustre that will glow the whole world over." Miss Andrews made a plea for every one to be generous before they were just, thus striving after the ideal of perfect and selfless service, which must be the highest possible aim, service not only "to the British Empire but to all mankind. At the conclusion of the address Miss Andrews, was presented with a bouquet by the chairman, Mrs. P. Bauer. Songs were sung by Miss Maud Clark, accompanied by Mrs. Beniams.