OVERSEAS LEAGUE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27186, 2 November 1953, Page 13

OVERSEAS LEAGUE

ROLE IN LIFE OF NEW ZEALANDERS

The Overseas League had a very important and necessary part to play in the life of the people of New Zealand, said the president of the Christchurch branch, Mr A. I. Cottrell, at the opening of a Dominion conference of the league in Christchurch on Saturday. Mr Cottrell, who was later elected New Zealand president, said that when, as there were today, evil influences working there was a need for the influence for good of bodies that were properly organised and which knew where they were going. In this way there could be built up an army for good which in time would overcome the evil forces.

The league, he said, had also a part to play in community service. It was not good enough that it should be a social society, though it was necessary that at first there should be some sort of fellowship. If the branch did its part in carrying out the fundamental purposes of the league—in short, the fostering of Empire unity—that influence would spread through the country and the organisation would be doing its part in building up the circle of Empire unity. Brigadier V. G. Stokes, M.C., development secretary at world headquarters of the league in London, conveyed to the conference a message from the central council of the league in the United Kingdom and from world headquarters wishing the New Zealand organisation "a fruitful and agreeable conference." He urged the league to keep its members mindful of the wider aspects of the league's work and not to allow parochialism to enter into its affairs, as this reduced the value of its work. Officers were elected as follows: New Zealand president, Mr Cottrell; chairman of New Zealand executive. Mr A. R. Guthrey; executive, Mr M. Williams representing the Twentieth Century Group. Mrs J. J. Mulligan, and a further member to be co-opted by the executive. All of the officers are of Christchurch. It was decided to hold a Dominion conference every two years.

The conference recommended the executive to consider reorganisation of the public speaking contest for secondary school pupils which is held annually in New Zealand by the league. It was felt that the contest was allowing too much emphasis to be placed on oratory and not enough on public speaking itself.

The headquarters of the league is to remain in Christchurch.