ROTARY PRINCIPLES

Evening Star, Issue 21099, 11 May 1932, Page 7

ROTARY PRINCIPLES

THEIR PRACTICE URGED ON NATIONS FRIENDLINESS IN WORLD MOVEMENT NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE OPENED “ Unless Rotary principles (and there may be a very wide difference between Rotary membership and Rotary principles) are practised by nations to solve their national and international problems, it is my opinion that the bloodiest and most terrible conflict of tho ages is still to be fought,” declared District Governor Henry J. Guthrie, of Dunedin, in his address, 1 Friendship in Rotary,’ at the opening of the tenth annual conference of New Zealand Rotary Clubs in tho Concert Chamber to-day. About 100 Rotarians were present at the opening session, but reports were made that delegations would be augmented later in tho day. In calling the meeting to order, the District Governor said he had attended many conferences in the district, and it was a great satisfaction to him that the one he was privileged to preside over should be held in his own home town. The invocation was delivered by Padre W. A. Stevely. DUNEDIN’S WELCOME. Mr P. R. Sargood, president of Dunedin Rotary, extended a welcome to visiting Rotarians. He said it was his privilege and very pleasing duty to say a few words of welcome. That Dunedin had been chosen as tho place in which the tenth conference of the fifty third district was to ho held was a matter of gratification and pride to Dunedin Rotarians. He 4 hoped they might not only absorb but radiate the principles and enjoy the ideals of Rotary, and make the conference one of use and enlightenment. Although their visit would be short, he hoped when they went away that they would have renewed old acquaintanceships, consolidated friendships, and made new personal contacts which would lead to new friendships of a lasting nature. At a conference like that they could inspire each other to do their duty in service, and he hoped they would imbue each other with a determination to carry put the great ideals of Rotary, “ Service above self,” and carry that principle right into their private, commercial, and social'lives. They could also find inspiration* in the cultivation of international goodwill and understanding. On behalf of Dunedin Rotary he assured them of a very successful conference and welcomed them all most heartily. Ho hoped they would make the conference one of the most joyous and bright and most prolific of benefits of Rotary ideals that they had ever held in New Zealand. VISITOR’S REPLY. Sir Alexander Roberts (Wellington) thanked President Sargood for his warm words of welcome. Ho found himself in a somewhat difficult position, as ho was a native of Dunedin. Whenever he returned he always felt that he had never been away. Eto could assure the Dunedin Club that the many delegates who were revisiting their native town and the strangers would return homo full of admiration for Dunedin and gratitude to Dunedin Rotarians for their hospitality. Dunedin hospitality was world known, and he could assure the visitors that they were in for a wonderful time. Beyond the city was a remarkable district. For the past five days Tie had been on a business visit, accompanied by his brother, to tho farming areas in Otago and Southland. It was only in tho last few days that ho had got to know what was behind Dunedin, and he had been astonished. In the north, Southland was looked upon as tho end of Now Zealand. To his friends in the north ho would say that Southland was going to be a very important end of New Zealand, for the province possessed a vast area of important farming land that would bring prosperity to the dominion. He had also visited Lakes Wakatipu and Wanaka. At its back door Dunedin had some of the most magnificent scenery it was possible to find in the world. He strongly advised Rotarians who could spare the time to visit Central Otago to see the wonder ful opportunities for commerce and pleasure. Apologising for the small attendance at the conference of North Island Rotarians, Six Alexander said he was afraid Dunedin was largely responsible, as, for many years past, Dunedin had been lending money to tho north and the north was doing its best to earn interest for Dunedin. (Laughter.) The various clubs then announced their representation. DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS It was now two years since his fellowRotarians in this district had done him the great honour of nominating him for the position he now held, said the district governor. He had never been unmindful of that honour and the responsibility that ho assumed. He trusted he had not failed in the position, It was far better not to accept a position in Rotary than do so and fail, to the disappointment of all friends. It was bad enough to fail in anything, but in tho performance of Rotary duty it was inexcusable. He had put his best efforts into the job, and he believed, with tho assistance of the various officers of the different clubs, Rotary had shown some results. He would not be true to himself or Rotary if he did not recognise the gz-eat service of the men who had preceded him. They had each made a great contribution to Rotary, and had helped to carry this district to the position it had reached in Rotary today. To have been governor of this district for two years had meant a good deal of work and time, as far as ho was concerned. It had been a very happy two years of service to him, and meant golden memories that time would never efface. For tho greatest part it had been a work of love, and consequently two of the happiest years of his life. For the opportunity they had given him of serving ho was truly grateful. Their contacts had enriched his soul, had broadened his life; had softened his heart, and had increased his love for his fellow-man. He prayed that liis contact with thorn might, in a slight measure, have caused like blessings to come to them. It never was he who did anything—it was the principles- of Rotary working through him, and he was only permitted to be tho channel. SLIGHT FALLING OFF IN MEMBERS. There were many things that had been achieved in this district in the last two years. Tho average attendance for the first nine months of this year had been 75.57, compared with the average attendance last year, which was 70 per cent, and the previous year 74.83 per cent., which was a very good showing indeed, particularly when they took into consideration the number of the members generally away overseas and the difficulty they had in

this district of making up attendance, on account of tho great distances between their clubs as compared with clubs, say, in the United States, where the average attendance was so much higher, as it was comparatively easy for Rotarians there to make up an attendance when they miss their own regular meeting. Tho district membership in July, 1930, was 1,097. They showed a steady .climb up to January, 1931, when they dropped nineteen. Then there was a drop right on to July, 1931, when the members were 1,026, a loss in a year of seventy-one. This, of course, included the twenty members in the Thames Club, which had handed in its charter. From July in 1931 Rotary had made a steady climb to the end of tho year. January showed a slight decrease, but February a rather serious drop, and the total membership of the district in March stood at 1,026. They had to bo satisfied with this position when they considered tho recent conditions they had gone through. Most clubs had been particularly active in many different phases of welfare work, and many people had been blessed through their activities. But all those, outward organisational activities, however meritorious, wore neither the principal nor the best illustrations of Rotary’s philosophy of service. Rotary’s real field of action was to bo found in- tbo daily social and business life of every member. Rotary's philosophy was helpfulness, friendliness, unselfishness, consideration of others, and the willingnes to do for others what they would wish them to do for them under similar circumstances. And Rotary had set itself to the task of enthroning this principle in the hearts and minds of the secular leaders of the world, not as a religious tenet, but because of its own inherent merit as a principle of living.

We, as Rotarians, are committed to its practices in our daily lives—in the home, where the head of the family hould dispense not grouchiness nor tyranny, but kindness and love; in business, where not only must crookedness ho banished, but truth and justice and fair dealing must control; in our social and community life, where arrogance, suspicion, and selfishness must be discarded for friendliness, trust, and benevolence. If I am a Rotarian simply because it _ helps mo socially, or . because it facilitates fortunate business contracts, or even because a reward of heaven may be held out, my Rotary is a mighty poor one —not worth having. But if I am a Rotarian because it helps me to live my best, inspires me with sympathy and tolerance towards my fellowmen, and causes me to be anxious to make a contribution to the public welfare, then my Rotary is worth something. If we do not combine a conscious—yea, also an unconscious—living towards our fellowraen, we are paupers indeed, and have not yet grasped the fundamentals of true Rotary.” They who held membership in Rotary were not true to their colours unless with their singing and praise they combined a practical religion of sympathy, tolerance, mutual helpfulness, and brotherly love and friendliness to all mankind everywhere, a seven-day week and a twenty-four-hour day ; religign that worked and helped their fellowmen, bo white or black, rich or poor, high or low estate. For the wonderful co-operation he had received ho had a debt of gratitude, and ho frankly stated, in one_ sense, it caused real regret to relinquish his job. He hoped, to some extent at least, he had won a place in their hearts corresponding to that they had won in his. DESIRE TO SAVE. “ If I were to tell you the greatest lesson that has been emphasised to mo in the last two years it is this: the earnest desire of a great number of those in Rotary that 1 have met is to serve and to help those less fortunate than themselves. That very fact proves that good emanates from practically all people if the opportunity is presented in the right way,” said the Governor. “ The greatest thing in Rotary is still, and always will bo, love and friendship). It must be a love and friendship big and broad enough to take in every living thing that breathes and walks, and unless we have gained in that breadth of love our Rotary year _ has failed, and much of the service rendered has really come to naught. The sun’s brightness is reflected in the flower that turns its smiling face to the sun. And the nearest approach to this in human life is witnessed in our most intelligent and loving acts The wise thing to do is always the loving act. In our relations with our fellowmen the way of wisdom is always the way of loving kindness. Our love for our fellowman is wholesome, and our fellowman is safe in our Jove. When this is universally recognised and practised the sixth object of Rotary will be an accomplished fact. This sixth object is the advancement of understanding, goodwill, and international peace through a world fellowship of business and professional men united in the ideal of service.”

Some of them might not be very enthusiastic about Rotary’s chance .of accomplishing its sixth object, but after the different world conventions and tho Pacific Conferences he has attended, meeting with Rotarians from almost every corner of the globe, he was convinced that even if Rotary itself could not accomplish world peace, they could do much toward tho promotion of friendly understanding, ethical business relationship,- and absolute goodwill, which were very essential factors in obtaining and maintaining world peace. The only reason that ''world peace was not accepted as permanent was “ because not enough of us yet care; or not enough of us care enough.” And the only reason they did not care enough was because they tlid not love enough. All troubles of the human race to-day were duo to the fact that they did not include all mankind in their own affections and aims. To many of them Rotary was just Rotary, and that meant to them simply Rotary in their own club. If they thought of Rotary International at ail they were inclined to think of it as something outside themselves. It was so easy to forget that they wore Rotary International, and that Rotary International was them and their fellow clubs throughout the world. Because of this tendency to forget tho international side of Rotary there was all tho more need to stress the work of tho international service committees in the clubs. COMMON PRINCIPLES OF PEACE. “ And unless Rotary principles (and there may bo a very wide difference between Rotary membership and Rotary principles) are practised by nations to solve their national and international' problems it is, in my opinion, that the bloodiest and most terrible conflict of the ages is still to bo fought,” said the Governor. “It is evident that the world needs some friendly and democratic agency, common to all countries and based on some common principle which will promote peace. It is equally evident that official and governmental devices, no matter how commendable—treaties, alliances,, pacts, leagues—are .all restricted in their operation and contacts; that in an age when business is the avenue through which countries and peoples come to know one another

it is essential to find some instrument in the .activities of common men which will promote that friendship which alone can insure peace. “ There are few instruments which furnish such a contact. Rotary seems specially equipped for the task. It is on every continent. It will soon be in every country. It is expressed in many languages. It is a bond of comradeship in regular meetings, under the same auspices, of men pledged to the same objectives, and loyal to the same principles, no matter in what clime they meet or what language they speah. _lt has common direction and inspiration. It has its basic principle in human service with its universal appeal to every heart. It has an extraordinary opportunity to justify long years of experiment, endeavour, and the expenditure of time, energy, and money, by mooting this challenging and unique responsibility. It must be ; done through the combined and co- | operative effort of Rotary in every i country.” I Hence the international service activities of the individual club became vital and of the first importance in its programme. Maiiy of them had individual opportunities for international service work. They might receive inquiries from all sorts of people throughout the world as to conditions in this district, or conditions in their club, or conditions in their town. If they did they should reply to these in a friendly way. It : was comparatively easy to get over their sixth object with certain friendly gestures and a few nice phrases. But that was not by any stretch of imagination, ac- . complishing their sixth object. These phrases and gestures would prove to be the most idle hyprocrisy and bitter curse unless accompanied by sincere attempts of putting into action those same phrases and gestures^ When they had failed to be loving they had failed to be wise; when they had been blind to their neighbour’s interests they had also been blind to their own! And the beautiful thing about disinterested human, affection was that it was never poured forth in vain. Its smallest expression must, like “ the quality of mercy,” bless both “ him that gives and him that takes,” and even when apparently rejected it still enriches the giver. ■ ' To him “it is better that my heart should swell with joy at traits of gentle goodness in faulty people who may sit at the same hearth with mo than at the deeds of heroes whom I shall never know anything about, except by hearsay.” After all, men were judged not so much by the greatness of their work, but by the spirit in which that work was performed. For wherever they went their shadow fell upon others, and they were either better or worse for their having passed that way. And they had to take their joys with them or they would never find them, nor could they pass them along to others. The man who was not making a contribution to the world’s advancement was a parasite, and, after all, of whaf use was life unless they were seeking or had found what made life worth living? _ Somehow they only seemed to receive the best by giving the best. JUSTIFICATION FOR LIVING. The only justification a man had for living at all was his loving and kindly acts. That same principle applied to clubs and organisations. If Rotary was not one of the most vital creative forces for good in the world to-day it had within its ranks more poor misguided individuals than any other organisation in existence. If, instead of its well-known six objects, Rotary had for its sole objective the encouraging and fostering of friendships, then be for one believed its existence would be gloriously justified. He could not conceive of any greater satisfaction or happiness that could come to a man in this life to approach the end of his long span or short, and to realist that he had at least one friend upon whom he could absolutely rely in times of adversity as well as prosperity; one who would rejoice with him when he succeeded and sympathise with and encourage him when ho failed; one who knew his shortcomings as well as his strong points, and who, understanding him', loved him for what he was—perhaps as much for his faults as for his virtues. To have even, one such friend as this was to reap the greatest reward life had in store, and anyone who had long been in Rotary and did not have several such friends had either missed his opportunities or failed to grasp tho very meaning of Rotary itself.

“ Hunt for the good in the other fellow; remember he has to do the same in your case.” If one would have friends, lie must first show himself friendly. And anyone has failed to learn one of the arts of living who has not yet discovered the permanent joy that friendships bring. The Lord Himself named as His greatest Commandment “That ye shall love one another.” Should not love of our fellowmen. expressed in friendship, be the corner stone upon which the temple of life is built. Rotary keeps friendship’s fences in constant repair. Friendship is that indefinable thing that binds men together, that contributes to the joy of living, and adds to the pleasure of service. Take friendship out of the world and you have robbed the tree of life of its choicest fruit and left for the harvest nothing but leaves. Who would bo happy must have friends. The widening circle of friendship means a widening field of service. “ If wo would live the lives in Rotary which wo are privileged to do, the opportunity to make new friends both in and out of Rotary is limited only to the contacts which wo make.” Rotary had undertaken to bring together in common purpose the nations of the world—to compass them with an arch which should be all inclusive and the keystone of which was the friendships which arose from Rotary purposes and Rotary contacts. It was the aim of every Rotarian to leave the world better than ho found it. With friendship planted where violence and distrust grew before, the brotherhood of man would bo approaching a reality and the task they passed on to their posterity would bo rendered easier of accomplishment. Ho was to-day not only what he willed himself to- be, but to a very great extent what they, his friends, had made him, and might ho make bold to hope that they, too, were partly what he had helped them to bo. GREETINGS FROM INDIA. Rotarian B. G. D. Smith (Lahore, India) said that when it was suggested in Lahore that he should attend the conference in New Zealand every member, whether English or Indian, was overjoyed. India sent its greetings. It was a pity that Rotary had not come to India twenty years ago; if that had happened India would have evaded some of her troubles of to-day. They recognised the difficulties of extending Rotary as much as they would like to, and whenever they had the opportunity they placed them before all who were willing and able to help Rotary'. He had learned much from Rotary since , ho vtsitod Auckland two years ago, and ho spoke of the friendships which had . been formed and maintained. I The visitor was accorded a musical 1 reception. '

Messages of greetings were also received from Wolverhampton, Geelong, Governor Harry Cummings (50th District), Governor Fred Burleigh (7Gtii

District), New , South Wales and Queensland, Auckland, Wellington, and Harry Amos, who, for the first time, ia* absent from a New Zealand conference* Rotarian ' Bostodk (Stafford, Eng* land) was also welcomed. As the conference was well ahead of time-table a number of remits to coma up at the World Conference were dis* cussed. Various group meetings were held this afternoon, and the presentation of their reports is set down for Friday morning.