AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 21632, 30 January 1934, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY

PROPOSED OTAGO ORGANISATION Having as its principal objects the promoting of a better understanding between New Zealanders and .Australians, an association to be known as the Australian Society of Otago (incorporated) is to be formed at a meeting to ha held on February 19, as a result of a meeting called to discuss the proposal of establishing such a body ami held last night. Mr A. A. Paape (convenor);, who piesided over an attendance of eight interested persons, said that he was pleased to welcome snch a hilly repiesentative meeting. He had thought it best before calling a public meeting to get into touch with a tew prominent Australians in the city to meet and talk over the proposal. With a society of the kind proposed much might be accomplished, in addition to its prime objects, which included, as set out in the Wellington Society’s . constitution, the arrangement of receptions for visiting Australians and the arrangement for recognition by Australians -in New Zealand of Anzac Day and Foundation . (Australian) Day, January 26. It was Proposed iat the start of the society to give assistance to the, Melbourne Centenary authorities by advising New 'Zealanders the best routes to take to 20 to Melbourne, because there would be many people in the dominion who would be eager to attend that function, which would *6 one of the most out- / standing ever held in any part of Aus- ‘ tralia. . , If the society were organised as nc • thought could be done, Mr Paape said that he was confident there would be a membership of easily 200. Later they ‘ hoped to extend operations into Invercargill and Christchurch, but it was not intended to make the local society a branch of those bodies already existent in Auckland and Wellington. MELBOURNE-BLUFF SERVICE. Such a society as the one in view would be an elbow for those bodies which had never' ceased trying to get hack the Melbourne-Bluff boat service, Mr Paape continued. There had been ' a feeling of adversity toward Austra- . lians but it had died out to a great extent in the last few years. There was, however, not the /spirit between the two countries that there should be. The New Zealand Government was not giving the Australians a fair spin. The iruit embargo was the worst example It was time someone assisted the politicians, who had been playing like schoolboys, to bring the two countries ■ closer together; in fact, the Governments of both countries could be given much assistance without the consideration of politics. “A direct service between Melbourne and the South Island is essential to induce tourists to visit our resorts,” declared Mr E. W. Trend. “ The present ■ journey takes too long, and it is too costly, The Melbourne-Bluff service is one of the chief things we could work for, whilst we could also endeavour to ! have the present prohibitive prices ol Australian goods lowered.” << pyjmt our politicians have been unsuccessful in doing; we may accomplish Make the people of both countries friends and not rivals,” said Mr D. G Barton. “ All our politicians have sue ceeded 'in doing is to create antagonism.” Mr Barton then asked if New Zealanders who had given service for Australia in the Great War would be eligible. for membership, to which M> , Paape replied that there could scarcely . bo.,any objection. 4 SOUTH ISLAND TOURIST RESORTS. Mr Trend said that the society should undertake to boost the South Island’s tourist resorts. In Australia the South Island was not advertised sufficiently ilthongh its scenery could hardly be bettered anywhere in the world, especially the West Coast and the Eglinton Valley., “ Dunedin has the best set ting of any city that I know,” he con eluded. ■ . Mr W. M Beal said that the South ' Island was left well behind. It either lacked the: influence or the enterprise, and it was time people in other parts were told more about, it. “ The people in the South Island themselves do not know the beauties that lie at their door,” said Mr G. E Brown. “ That is a surprising fact.” SOCIETY’S CONSTITUTION. All present complimented Mr Paape on his forethought in calling the meeting, and it was generally considered \ that the proposed society was assured of success. It was the emphatic wish of those present that a public meeting should be called for February 19 to properly establish the .society. Mr " Paape undertook to make the necessiirj arrangements for the meeting, with • the assistance of those present,- who .willingly signified their intention to help. Prior to dispersing, the meeting gave consideration to . the Wellington Society’s constitution, suggestions for alterations being noted.