ROTARY AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 208, 29 May 1940, Page 14

ROTARY AND THE WAR

Ideals Of Service Still Stand GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT '‘Rotary and the World Conflict” was •.tie subject for discussion at the luncheon of the Wellington Rotary Club yesterday. “For more than a score of years Rotary has encouraged and fostered the advancement of international understanding and goodwill among men as a basis for peace among nations,” said the district governor, Mr. I). A. Ewen. “Yet during that period scarcely a year has passed without armed conflict in some part of the world. Today, warfare is being waged in many parts of the world, and of the large number of countries and geographical regions in which there are Rotary Clubs, more than a third are engaged in armed hostilities. “Because of these conditions the board of directors of Rotary International finds itself in the position of administering an organization embracing some clubs located in countries which are at war so far as some of the conflicts are concerned, yet neutral with regard to other conflicts, and embracing other clubs in countries which maintain varying degrees of neutrality with regard to all the conflicts. “It is outside the competence of the Board of Rotary International to instruct Rotarians as to their duties as citizens of their respective countries. The board, however, points out that Rotary International, through . convention action, has stated that it expects its members, while co-operating toward a cordial international understanding, to be thoroughly loyal to their religious and moral ideals and to the -higher interests of their particular country. “In these catastrophic times, the board feels that it should re-emphasize to Rotarians throughout the world, that Rotary is based on the ideal of service, and where freedom,' justice, truth, sanctity of the pledged word, and respect for human rights do not exist, Rotary cannot live nor its ideal prevail. These principles, which are indispensable to Rotary, are vital to the maintenance of international peace and order and to human progress. “The board therefore condemns all attacks upon these principles and calls upon each Rotarian to exert his influence and exercise his strength to protect them and to help hasten the day when war need no longer be used as an instrument for settling international disputes. “To Rotarians and their families and to all others who are subject to (he perils of war or who have suffered loss or bereavement the board extends its deepest sympathy, and expresses its sincere hope that the present period of trial and suffering may be brought to a speedy end.” ’ Allied Ideals. Mr. Ewen said that it was the duty of every Rotarian in this country to render all assistance in his power toward the upholding of the principles for which the movement stood. Since Rotary could not live where freedom, justice, truth, the sanctity of the pledged word, and respect for human life did not exist, and since the enemy against whom the Allies were fighting denied these ideals, then it seemed that the movement’s clear duty was to do all in its power to help the Government and the country in its war effort. “I urge you, with all the insistence in my power,” said Mr. Ewen, “to stand by your club, to meet regularly, and so to find in friendship a strength and consolation which will help us all, and, through us, assist in maintaining our morale when the night is darkest. “There are many diverse opportunities for clubs and individual Rotarians,” continued Mr. Ewen, “and it is only fair and just to state that these opportunities are being used in scores of cases. To abandon our meetings, as has sometimes been suggested, for the duration of the war, would be a very grave mistake, indeed, a fatal error. 'ln Britain, even in France, the clubs are continuing to meet and are finding the weekly fellowship a solace and a source of strength. That dark days lie 'before us, even in New Zealand, far as we are removed from the conflict, is indubitable. Most of us are too old for military service, but our friends, our sons, are on the way to the war, and many more are in training. We can do best by keeping our own wheels turning, seeking opportunities for service whenever and wherever they are presented, and so assist in welding the people as all march forward as brothers in the tight for liberty, justice and freedom.” Work in England. Mr. H. E. Anderson, who recently returned from England, told what the Rotary Clubs were doing there to help in the war effort. The Rexham Club was doing good work in arranging to meet soldiers home on leave or wounded and seeing them to their homes. The Lowestoft Club was concerning itself with the crews of mine-layers and trawlers, and the Cheltenham Club bad formed groups including a Blackout C-luib, which attracted 500 young men and girls every Monday evening. Other clubs were also engaged on doing valuable work assisting the war effort generally. Mr. 8. Harris spoke on what Rotary was doing in New Zealand. Every club was interesting itself in whatever opportunities for service presented themselves. It had become painfully apparent that conceptions of war must change, the tempo and the manner of it must be entirely altered. He .knew nothing of the Army, the Navy or the Air Force, and so could not speak ot them; but he thought that Rotaiy should not foe asked to do anything specific. It should be left untrammelled to afford help and assistance to Crown and country in any direction. That did not mean that they should overlook the humanitarian side of war, which he thought Rotary Clubs could take in their stride. Mr J. C. Ridell spoke of the good work’the Wellington club had done in backing up the Toe H Club, which had arranged for a restroom for soldiers and sailors in the city. This clubroom had already been used by thousands of men. Until the present it had 'been financed by the Rotary Club, which he thought could go further in that direction. Mr. J. Martin spoke of devoting some attention to the crews of the vessels visiting Wellington on war business and Mr. F. Campbell said the best service Rotary could do could be expressed m loyalty in the big sense of the word. “We all know the trouble that occurs In a team when everybody wants to be captain,” said Mr. Campbell. “The Government that is in power was put there by the people. They might mu'ke mistakes, sometimes with their eyes open, but wc must not get hysterical. Let us help them all we knotv, and go forward as a team to do the best we can for the Empire.” Mr. Charles Todd expressed thanks to the members of the club for the wonderful help they had given him as chairman of the chamber of commerce committee In connexion with the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Sick and Mounded FaniL He had n«ver bad to work with

such a willing committee, and half of them were members of the Wellington Rotary Club. Dr. GUlies, chairman of the New Zealand committee in connexion with the srrme appeal, suggested that one way in which Rotarians could be helpful’ if they were employers of girl labour, was to allow those girls who wished to do hospital training time off to undergo such, training.