AUSTRALIAN LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 9, 10 July 1931, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN LEAGUE

formation ; in ' well- :^-■'■-' .ington^ "/':",

A: well-attended; and enthusiastic meeting of Australian residents in Wellington was helct last evening for the purpose of forming an Australian. Association in "Wellington. Tho meeting was presided > over by Mr. Will Hancock, ■tf-ho explained that for a considerable time Australiaus resident in Wellington hacT felt that they should form, an a'ssoeiation, to promote; a spirit of camaraderie amongst Australians living in New Zealand, "by social ; activity, , propaganda, and publicity, , and •' endeavour to cultivate and foster a better understanding between New Zealanders and Australians. , The association: will be non-political and will refrain from commenting as a body on Australian or New Zealand polities.1 It is proposed to recognise, as an Australian community,, the two historical dates Anzac Day and Anniversary Day (26th. Janu- : ary) and-also to arrange for the reception of visiting Australians or any other prominent visitors to New Zealand. Mr.' Hancock stated; that there was a lot that could be done by, Australians in New Zealand in ; endeavouring to ■break down jbarriers which apparently now existed between the two countries; and also by.. destroyfing wrong, iin-. pressions in New Zealand' concerning various happenings in the Commonwealth, which were to the detriment of Australia and her people, "and which were having > p, . marked effect upon tourist traffic and travellers generally. A strong committee of Australian ladies and gentlemen resident in Wellington has been formed, and the league has been fortunate in securing the services.of Mr. S. "W.'-M. Stilling, of the! Australian National Travel Association, as its honorary secretary and treasurer, whose rooms will be the headquarters of tho league meantime i Stops are being taken to form branches pL Auckland, Christehurch, and Dunedin. An opportunity was taken at this Inaugural meeting to. pass a vote of thanks' to Mossrs., J?. D. Croft, C. S. LoughHn,* and J. M. Marriott for the organising work performed by them in commencing the move-ment. .