REFORM IN POLITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVXIII, Issue 53, 4 March 1937, Page 5

REFORM IN POLITICS.

ROTARIAN SEES NEED. MODERN* SPORT CRITICISED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELIJN'<; TOX. Wednesday. "I do not think there is a place for Rotary in politic*, but I do tliink individual Rotariaiis should try to lirinjr almiit much-needed reforms." declared Dr. J. ln;rlis Robertson, of Sydney, to the Pacilie Kotarv Conference.

"Surely to goodlier-- the time has come." lie said, "for thinkinjr men to try to see that there is a demand for ii certain standanl of knowledge from every candidate for Parliament, and so reduce to a iiiinnttim international mis understandings brought about by political blundering*. Surely we should try to secure I'arliainentary (lovernnient by the aristocracy of intellect as the only possible offset to the terrible handicap of universal suffrage."

Dr. Robertson urjred the institution* of a drive to inculcate a peace, instead of a war, sense.

Modern sport n* an ajjent for j»rointernational a-.iity is regarded criti<ally by Dr. Roliertson. Jt introduced an element of rivalry and certainly invited partisan feelinjjs. He would be a brave man who would assert that an international boxinjj contest helped to create «ood feeling between nations.

J'uiilic freliii" ran liijili over s|»oitin« lixtures, said Dr. RoU'itson. Thin was fanned and fomented l.v a eertain section of the J , less, and it was very i|iit'Htioiiul)le whether sporting contests had done very much to further the cause of international understanding.