OVERSEAS CLUB

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 53, 30 August 1913, Page 15

OVERSEAS CLUB

ANNUAL CONFERENCE CELEBRATION OF EMPIRE DAY. The second annual conference of delegates representing the branches in New Zealand of the Overseas Club was held in the Mayors room at the Town Hall yesterday. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) welcomed the delegates, and in doing so paid a tribute to the aims and objects of the Overseas Club, which he said helped to inculcate and maintain the Imperial spirit wherever Englishmen congregated. It was very helpful for travellers to know and realise that in any British country they found theijMelve* ttwre was a club the members of which were willing to come forward and extend the hand of friend' ship. A great deal of the success of gach clubs depended on the manner in which they were organised, and he complimented Mr. J. K. Macfle, hon. secretary of the New Zealand Council, on the excellent work he had done in this connection/ Referring to the Victoria League Mr. Luke said, that its aims and objects were identical with the Overseas Club, and it was his personal opinion thai ultimately these two bodies would amalgamate. This would spell greater success for both, besides allowing of a widee scope for their activities. The following delegates were present: —Messrs. T. J Martin (Waihi), A. Myers (Auckland). R. Gardner and H. M. Haycock (Palmerston North), Dr. 3. M. Wwren (Marton), T. A. H. Field (Nelson), J. V. Grierson, H. Langford, and A. Kaye (Christchurch), Captain Barclay (Wellington), J. A. Hanan (Invercargifl), and J. K. Macfie (hon. secretary to New Zealand Council). Mr. A. M. Myers, M.P., took the chair, the Mayor being called away/ and in opening the business of the conference, said thafc he understood an attempt would be made to i affiliate the Overseas Club and the Victoria League in such manner that they would retain their 1 identity. The aim of these bodies would be the same, but there were special objects for wfakh the clubs were established, and these they would individually carry out. The Empire had. reached a. critical stage in its history, and the outposts of Empire should do their duty in maintaining its prestige; this they could do in many ways, and by the support of such clubs as the overseas. Parliameniairy duties made it necessary for Mr. Myers to vacate the chair, which was taken by Mr. Hanah, M P. After some discussion as. to the form in which Empire Cay should be celebrated, it wa« decided, on Mr. Myers's motion, thai ii be an instruction, to the various clubs to celebrate the day by holding a patriotic concert in conjunction with kindred societies, and at which patriotic speeches oooM be made, and also thai where possible speeches to fichoolcbiklren be arranged for. It wa# also proposed that a bonfire be lit on Empire Day on some prominent position in the various district*, but Mr. Haycock opposed this on, the score of expense $ bendes, ii was a matter for the individual clubs to consider. The training of the children for the patriotic) concert would leave a more lasting ' impression on then* minds than would a bonfire. Other delegates were not ot iiaa opinion. The bonfire* were a, demon* Rtnation of the dub's eadstmes, and as they would be lighted in England and efoswhere on Empire Day, they should aho he lighted in New Zealand, The motion was carried. It was decided to recommend the clube to hold some suitable celebration on the dub's birthday, 27th August; and that the matter of appointing ladies' subcommittees to collect, clothing, frozen sheep, etc., to be sent to the poor in the Old uwniry, be left to the discretion of the various branches. . The question of having a "Welcome Hall" in, the Auckland Exhibition, was Also diflcoseed, and it was decided that tile attention of the Executive Committee of thd Auckland Branch be drawn to the proposal, and that it be requested to draw up some scheme on the matter. On the motion of Mr. Kaye* it was decided that the Overseas dub co-operate with kindred societies in the furtherance of objects of common interest. The Auckland delegates were instructed to confer with their committee and aTzange a statable ceremony for use by school and kindergarten teachers, exT»resnre of individual service to the Empire and to inculcate Imperial ideas in the children. - This is to be submitted to the secretory of the council, who will inform the branches of the proposed ceremony, and if approved the Education Department is to be approached and permission sought to have it introduced in the public schools. An addition was made to the rules providing that all remits for the conference shall be sent in at least six weeks prior to the meeting, in order 1 that they might be circulated among branches and replies received from them. It was decided to inform branches that if they were anxious the Dominion secretary should obtain and keep supplies of badges and certificates for members, they (the branches) should communicate with him. The hon. treasurer's report, which was adopted, showed that all branohes had not paid the special conference levy , of £1. The 'ollowing motion was carried : " That the Dominion treasurer write forthwith to the clubs, who had not yet paid the special levy of £1 for the conference of January, 1913, asking them" to do bo within a month." ' It was decided to direct all branches to send in quarterly reports giving the name of the president and secretary of such branch. / Regarding branch meetings, the Dominion secretary was instructed to circularise clubs with suggestions as printed and placed before the conference. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Dominion secretary (Mr. J. J£, Macfie, Dunedin) for his efforts on behalf 6i the clnb.