THE POLAR FLAG

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 August 1933, Page 4

THE POLAR FLAG

BYRD AND THE ROTARIANS. (Special to the United Press Assn.) BOSTON (Mass.), June 27. Yesterday and, to-day New Zealand was prominently in the picture at the Rotary International Convention now being held here, and in the-minds and hearts of American citizens. The Dominion has been properly put- on the map by a simple little incident —the handing over to Rotary International of the flag taken by Rear-Admiral Byrd to the South Pole on behalf of the Wellington Rotary Club. As a prominent Bostonian who had brought honour to his native land, and as a Rotarian himself, the Rear-Ad-miral was asked to speak at the opening of the proceedings, and he did so in felicitous language, mentioning that in 1926 he carried with him a Rotarian flag to the North Pole. He went on to say: —

“When I reached New Zealand, which is, as you know, the nearest place to the Little America, our base there, the Rotary Club in Wellington,

presented me with a Rotary flag which I took across the South Pole. Applause.) I understand that there is a delegation here from New Zealand. I want to give them my warmest welcome, and tell them how delighted I

am t<> see them in this country. Certainly the people of New Zealand treated us as brothers when we were down there. Our expedition owes them all

a very great debt of gratitude. I was proud to carry the Rotary flag before. I believe absolutely in what Rotary

stands for. I think it is a wonderful thing to see these people gathered here from all over the world in friendship, and I think it is going to help the progress of the world. “So I took the flag, and if I am per-

mitted to do so, I will take it again. We are leaving on September 15 to spend another two years down there. We expect to find, and hope to find, a new continent on the face of the earth. I will take that flag on our flight of discovery when we try to find that new continent.’’ This morning the silken flag was presented by the Governor of Rotary in New Zealand (Rotarian T. C. List). In doing so he told the convention of the warm feeling which had sprung up between Rear-Admiral Byrd, his officers and men, at their base in New Zealand. Indeed, the famed aerial eonqueror had proved a wonderful ambassador —the United States could have chosen no better* —and the Dominion felt it an honour to have him and his men as guests. It would give New Zealanders great pleasure to know that he would be returning there later in the year, and they would much appreciate. the kindly references he made regarding them the previous morning. “We were glad to welcome him before,” said Rotarian List; “we will be doubly happy when he returns.” (Applause.) He then handed the flag to Presi-

dent Clinton Anderson, saying that th» Wellington Rotary Club felt Rotary International was the appropriate repository for such a token of international amity. The vast audience then rose and enthusiastically applauded. President Anderson replied: — “I am sure you would want me to say .to Admiral Byrd that, wherever he may go, under whatever circumstances he may fly, we want him to realise that his ship is also carried along and lifted into the skies by the good wishes of his fellow-Rotarians; that wherever

he may carry the flag of Rotary we

know that he will carry it with honour and credit to our organisation; and we hope that he may long live as an ambassador of good will between all parts of the world, particularly between Rotarians from one land to another.”

Rear-Admiral Byrd said he thought this was a wonderful gesture on the part of New Zealand. It was a beautiful thing that had been done to present the flag. “In order to further strengthen the link between New Zealand and this country, I pledge myself now that when we fly over unknown regions in the Antarctic, if we get there in good shape, I am going to name a part of that area, in the name of the New Zealand Rotary clubs and for the Rotary clubs, Little New Zealand.” (Loud and prolonged applause. )

Admiral Byrd was visibly moved by the thoughtful act of the Wellington Rotary Club, the felicitous references to the regard in which he is held in the southern Dominion, the gracious words of President Anderson, and the demonstration of tlie 8500 Rotarians gathered in the big building from the four corners of the earth. After he sat down crowds rushed to the platform to shake him and Rotarian List by the hand, and hundreds of boys wanted their autographs. The incident

was one of the happiest and most strik ing, as it was one of the most unexpected, of a week’s memorable proceedings.

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