ROTARY IN NEW ZEALAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 February 1935, Page 2

ROTARY IN NEW ZEALAND

ADDRESSES AT CONFERENCE.

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

TIMARU, February 27.

A survey of world problems, together with suggestions as to how rotary in New Zealand can help internationally, was given by Mr F. Hall Jones (Invercargill) i nan address to the New Zealand Rotary Conference. jThe key to New Zealand’s help in international affairs was education, said Mr Jones. “The function of the Club is to stimulate, the interest of the individual member, inform him on interna.tio.nal affairs, animate him to study for himself, and exert an influence in rotary and elsewhere along the lines of the sixth object,” which was “to encourage and foster advancement, understanding, goodwill and international peace through world fellowship among business and pro-, fessional men united in the ideal of service.” He, therefore, suggested, first, that when in the South Island, five’clubs from Timaru to Invercargill* should assemble tor thg international night, and commended this scheme to all other groups of plubs throughout New Zealand. Secondly, he advocated the formation of a society for the study of economics. Thirdly, he suggested that every club should take under its wing the Ipcal Boy Scout and Girl Guide Associations and ensure that the services of suitable Commissioners be secured, and through individual Rotarians, see that parents were interested and committees stimulated and that first-class Scoutmasters were at work. Fourthly, he suggested that all Rotary Clubs should foster and encourage their members to belong to the League of Nations Union, and, as a Club, have an address on the * accomplishments of the League once a year. Fifthly, his proposal was that New Zealand [ should actively participate, with ser- ! vice and finance, in the work of the i Institute of Pacific Relations, and the Institute of International Affairs. The sixth, and final spggegtipii was that Rotary should take the lead in New Zealand in educating individuals on international affairs, political and economic. . .

The speaker, who traversed in detail the situation in the Far East and Europe, was given a splepdid hearing, tlrfe District Governor characterising his address as one of the most able and inspiring to be, (lelivered at a Rotary Qphferpnce. In the evening, Sjr Alex. Roberts gave.an address on the foundation and growth qf Rptary fj’Qifi 19Q5, When the movement emanated from the brain of Paul Harris, in Chicago. At the present time, therp were 333 clups in the world, with a. total membership of 155,000. Mr E. Hitchcock, of Christchurch, spoke on the ethics and philosophy of Rotary, referring to Rotary’s danger and executive responsibility, and said that Rotary could demonstrate that its status' in tl)e cpjpmunity, its particular social grade of material, its varied resources and contacts, could all be. consecrated in deed and in truth to placing seryice above self. Then what limits could be placed to its possible service to the community? He implored all Clubs and members to give greater support to the League of Nations, and its ideals. Why they had not done so to a greater extent in the past would remain to him a perpetual Rotary mystery. „ TO ASSIST CRIPPLES. TIMARU, February 28. Declaring that in New Zealand there was no organised effort to assist in the economic battle of cripples, Dr. A. Gillies, of the Wellington Club, addressing the New Zealand Rotary Conference, asserted that cases constantly came before the attention of members, and emphasised die necessityyfor the formation of a society for crippled children in the Dominion. He asserted that cases had been assisted by the Rotary Club, enabling the giving of proper treatment and education, and help in other ways, because Rotary had created interest in them. He was meeting evidence every day that the problem had not been covered.

Dr Gillies said that despite the magnificent sunshine in New Zealand, there was no solarium treatment available for affections of the bones and joints, such as bone tuberculo.sis and unhealed bone abscesses. He urged the necessity for harnessing the sunshine, as well as the water of the Dominion. “We need to inaugurate in some way a system of centralising hospitalisation, with special apparatus and all that orthopaedic treatment embrace’s in the principal cities, with thorough follow-up work,” he added.