"SOMETHING VITAL"

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 59, 7 September 1938, Page 4

"SOMETHING VITAL"

ROTARY CONVENTION

"It made one realise that Rotary was something vital in the world," said Mr. J. R. McKenzie, of Christchurch, in an interview describing his experience at the^ Rotary International Convention in San Francisco recently.

Mr. McKenzie said that this great convention was a wonderful experience, and one that, somehow or other, gave a ray of hope that sooner or later some sensible understanding would be arrived at between the: nations of the world. At the convention, no fewer than 49 nations were represented, from America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia —an amazing gathering of men with a sensible and tolerant outlook on life. '

"As you can imagine," said Mr. McKenzie, "they had to have a pretty big piace to accommodate these people. The conference itself was held in the big Fox Theatre, up near the end of Market Street. This seats 5000 people. But that was not nearly enough. In addition, the Rotarians of-San Fran-1 cisco had secured the use of the Audi-^ torium, in San Francisco's great civic square, a place capable of seating some 10,000 people. This was called the 'hall of friendship/ and' was the general meeting place of the delegates. There every delegate had to register his name and address, so that he could be traced by anyone interested. There was a post and telegraph office, writingrooms, lounge rooms, and every possible convenience provided for the dele- ; gates and their wives. "In this 'hall of friendship' one met nothing but. smiling faces and outstretched hands, even from people who could not speak English. The youth ,of Rotary was also well catered for during that wonderful week, one of the gayest events being the' president's ball. For it all the seats and more than 2500 trees and shrubs were removed from the Auditorium, ' and replaced n^xt day, a staff of 250 doing the work. One could not attend such a gathering without being impressed with the sincere spirit of friendship: and kindliness that permeated everything and everyone." ■ '■. ; ' ,-: . ' s .-.■ .