SPOKES IN THE WHEEL

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 147, 22 June 1923, Page 6

SPOKES IN THE WHEEL

The emblem of the Rotary Clubs is a wheel. Elbert Hubbard, himself a Botarian, once wrote of the wheel as the great sign of man's rise from savagery, since the wheel is the beginning- of machinery—the powerful lever which man has used to lift himself above- the lower animals. The wheel, moreover, as an illustration of the power of unity, is quite aa apt as the Roman fasces. The spokes of a wheel, when scattered, are of little use; when fitted all together in the hub and the rim their usefulness is magnified. In addressing the Rotary conference yesterday, the Hon. George Fowlds emphasised the Rotary gospel of service—not a new gospel, but one 2000 years old. There- is another lesson of equal value to be drawn from the principle and practice of Rotary organisations. Each club aims at obtaining one representative of each industry and profession, but not more than one. Thus each club is in form (though necessarily not in exact proportion) a model of the world outside. Members learn that all industries and occupations are interdependent, and that it takes all kinds to make a world, just as it takes all kinds to make a Rotary Club. If one spoke of the wheel is missing or weak, the wheel is weak at that point. When there is ao much organisation, into, uaiq&s ftftd

leagues, guilds and organisations, of men and women who work to-r gather and think alike, it is a splendid thing' to have here and there an organisation comprised of men who think differently and work apart, but yet may be united in a common aim. This also is no new aim and no new doctrine. Almost 2000 years ago the lesson was taught to the Corinthians that, though their gifts and functions differed, they were members of one body, and apart from that body were helpless. " And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee; or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you." When there is so much talk of "producers" and "parasites," and so much disputing as to who are the real workers, the Rotary organisation is serving well by expounding this age-old principle so well enunciated by St. Paul—and practising it.