THE OVERSEAS CLUB.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4070, 26 October 1915, Page 6

THE OVERSEAS CLUB.

PROPOSED REORGANISATION.

MEETING TO BE HELD TO-NIGHT.

A meeting of the Overseas Club which is to be held at the Scottish Hall to-night is convened to reorganise the branch, and hopes are raised that it will again revive and show signs of that activity which was so promising a feature during the time which culminated in a visit of tho Ittmorary organiser, Mr Evelyn Wrench, and his sister some two and a-half years ago. The need for an organisation such as the Overseas Club was never greater than at the present time, when its activities can ho diverted into a sphere of usefulness peculiarly its own. It stands as an institution destined to inculcate those principles of patriotism and freedom which are inherent to tho British race and, although to some there appears to bo no need for this in a country like Now Zealand, which is proving its loyalty on tho red fields of Gallipoli, yet it must ho apparent oven to tho average thinker that there are hundreds and thousands of people in the Dominion who want educating in their responsibilities to the flag under which they have the privilege of living and, if the Overseas Club h ere and elsewhere can in any way develop and promote that senso of responsibility its existence is justified. Sorno three years ago tho local branch boasted of a nominal membership of 400, although active members were a comparative few. It is to bo sincerely hoped that the proposal to reorganise will meet with a hearty response, and that instead of the burden of tho Club’s activities being carried on the shoulders of a few enthusiasts, there will he such a gathering at the meeting to-night that tho Club will receive a fresh impetus. There must be many in the town who are in sympathy with the Overseas Club and its objects, and there was never a greater need for their sympathies _to take an active form than the present. Patriotic organisations are many, the funds raised for patriotic purposes arc without end, hut still there is ample room for the Overseas Club in such an important district as this and, so far as its own particular patriotic funds are concerned, subscribers have the satisfaction of knowing that absolutely no portion of their well-meant donations are used up in an expensive administration. The headquarters expenses are actually borne by a few wealthy men in the Homeland who appreciate the Club and its doings For instance, the Admiralty price for the Farinan biplane is £2039 and when that amount is raised, which we hope will be in the next day or two, it will be cabled straight out for the purchase of the machine without any deduction for headquarters expenses. Again with the Overseas Club tobacco fund for soldiers, each shilling subscribed purchases 50 cigarettes and a quarter of a pound of tobacco so that it is quite evident that not the smallest proportion of the shilling can he put to any other purpose than the actual object for which it is subscribed.

A heartv invitation is given not only to the townspeople to become members, but also to members who, although belonging to other branches, may he resident in the town now. Unless the- membership is strong the Club’s activities must necessarily be limited. Doubtless there will be some valuable suggestions brought forward to-night and a useful future may he looked for.