Coup forced Kiwanis into recess

Press, 23 November 1988, Page 34

Coup forced Kiwanis into recess

By

SUZANNE KEEN

The Fiji coup last year forced four Kiwani groups to go into recess before they had even received their charters. The four clubs had been organised and were meeting before the coup. However, restrictions imposed on public assemblies by the coup leader, Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, meant they had to stop meeting. The world president of Kiwanis International, Mr Gene Overholt, of the United States, said in

Christchurch this week that most service clubs were affected in the same way by such restrictions. They needed to be able to meet and work within the objectives of the organisation. “Our objectives and ideals are such that we can only operate in a free country so when you are under certain types of Government restrictions it makes it difficult to operate.”

Mr Overholt said the Kiwanis were disappointed the groups had

had to go into recess, but he was hoping moves would be made to bring them back within six months. Mr Overholt and his wife, Jane, arrived in Christchurch on Monday and will be in New Zealand for 10 days to promote the Kiwanis and their programmes. Each world president visits about 23 countries during their year in office. Since Mr Overholt took up the position in October he had travelled to Cali-

fornia, Arizona, Europe and Australia. He said that this year’s project, promoting _ schemes to help young people of school age develop a positive attitude, was particularly timely for New Zealand’s economic climate. Some of the programmes are aimed at discouraging students from dropping out or taking up solvent abuse, while others provide career information through successful - busi-

ness people. Mr Overholt said that he knew of no other district where people took the Kiwanis as seriously as they did in New Zealand. On leaving Christchurch, the Overholts will visit Wellington, Rotorua, Auckland and Kaitaia. They attended a combined Kiwanis function for Canterbury clubs last evening and will have afternoon tea with the Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, today.