ROTARIANS ON TOUR

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 10

ROTARIANS ON TOUR

Exchange Scheme Forty-nine Rotarians drawn mainly from the north-west coast of North America are at present touring the scenic spots of the South Island. Mr W. J. Windrum, of Vancouver, said in Christchurch yesterday: “Everyone without exception is having a marvellous time here.” The Rotarians came to the Dominion last week on the first exchange between Rotary clubs in matched districts in New Zealand, the United States and Canada. Already they have visited Rotarians in Auckland, Hamilton and Rotorua where the party attended the annual district conference. In May a New Zealand group of Rotary members in district 292, which covers the Auckland province and Fiji, will leave for America. The exchanges, said Mr Windrum, followed a suggestion by the president of Rotary International (Mr C. P. Miller) of a programme whereby Rotary districts around the world were paired off so that members could get to know each other’s countries. He said although the United States had matched clubs around the world it was the first time Canada and New Zealand had exchanged such visits. Included in the party are three men from Alaska. Mr Windrum said it was hoped that the matching dis-Itri-cts exchange scheme could develop into an annual event. The Rotarians are travelling in two groups while in the South Island because of accommodation difficulties at Mount Cook. One group has already visited there and the second will leave Christchurch today for the Hermitage. The Rotarians are in New Zealand for 14 days. Included in the group are 15 Canadians and 34 Americans. After seeing the South Island tourist resorts they will visit Aust-