IDEALS OF ROTARY

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 28 February 1933, Page 5

IDEALS OF ROTARY

PROMOTION OF GOODWILL. PRACTICAL VALUE THE AIM. PALMERSTON-N., Feb. 27. The eleventh annual conference of delegates from Rotary Clubs of the 53rd (New Zealand) -district. was opened to-day by the GovernorGeneral, Loi’d Bledisloe. The delegates' were welcomed by the president of the Palmerston North Rotary Club, Mr. W. G. Black. “As Rotarians we have a community example to give. For that reason you will find that there is little lavishness in anything we have done,” said Mr. Black. “While much :s of a plain order, we think that it 's in keeping with present.. . Conditions. Whatever your view, you are assured of the sincerity of our efforts and the cordiality of our greetings, and I trust that your impressions of our . city and your opinion of our hosts will be as favourable as your previous visit to our city. “Fellow Riotarians, have faith in your jobs, and do not- hesitate to speak your minds, but be earnest and practical. . “Let us strive in all our efforts to promote goodwill and understanding, to break down sectional interests, clear away selfish motives, and evolve some plan of practical value to our social and economic welfare, so. that this, the eleventh conference, may pass by as a milestone in the history of Rotary in this district.” Mr. G. F. Birks, of Sydney, second vice-president of Rotary International, oaid he had represented New Zealand at the annual conference of Rotary International as Mr. S. L. P._ Free had represeify.fl Australia when he had held office as a vice-president. Mr. Birks said he met the founder of the Rotary movement, Mr. Paul Harris, on two occasions. Though he had been prevented, for health reasons, lrom paying a visit to the Rotary Globs in the Southern Hemisphere, he maintained a keen interest in their wo'fc and welfare. Paul Harris was one of the finest men that such an organisation as Rotary had ever had. The Governor-General and delegates were entertained at luncheon by the Palmerston North Rotary Club, when Mr. Maurice Cohen, of Palmerston North, gave an address on his lecent trip abroad. The women were taken for drives this afternoon, while some paid a Mbit of inspection to the hosiery mills. Delegates and their wives were entertained, at afternoon tea this afteinooii. A reception and social evening was held to-night. The conference occupied this a_fiernoon in group discussions on business relating to club affairs. —“Dominion” Sendee.

HELPING UNEMPLOYED YOUTH

CO-ORDINATION URGED

PALMERSTON N., Feb. 27\ “Possibly the most distressful and disastrous result of our economic plight is adult and juvenile unemployment.” said the president of the Palmerston North Rotary Club, Mr. W. G. Black, when addressing the conference of Rotary Clubs on “Rotary—lts Meaning and its Mission in our Community.” , “It is necessary for us to take our full share in these problems and to strive to co-ordinate all effort to the best advantage of those in need of it,” said Mr. Black. “In this city and in other cities of the Dominion the Rotary Club, either as a body or through its members, has been instrumental. in establishing central - relief organisations. - “I believe that it is to. the problem of juvenile unemployment that we must address our greatest effort and our most human understanding. Today we have thousands of boy's- and girls in our midst for whom there is no vocation. With the advancing months and no immediate prospect of an improvement in the economic conditions, the total of unemployed youth may ris e rapidly. “Is there any grimmer, tragedy, than that of youth fired with- ambition, educated lor its place in life, but deprived of the opportunities of realising" its goal? If there anything more demoralising to the discipline and character of our youth than idleness? After all, what is our own future? Our future is our youths; and I say emphatically that there is no greater community' need m our midst to-day than that of addressing ourselves to this problem of youth and assisting not only in remedying the present conditions, but in finding a definite solution.

“We cannot be happy -or satisfied with our lives unless we can earn the respect an love of our young folk, both now and in their after lives. The mind of youth is plastic, and can be moulded to our will. Let us be good craftsmen and mould well so that our future generations may stand as a monument to our skill.

“Let our service be willing and full of inherent love and understanding, for only r in that way can our service prove, to be real service.—“ Dominion” Service.