ROTARY CLUB

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 110, 9 April 1926, Page 3

ROTARY CLUB

YESTERDAY’S MEETING

CO-OPERATION "WITH LEAGUE

UNION DEBATED

Tlio Palmerston North Rotary Club s weekly luncheon and meeting was held yesterday afternoon, ltotarian E. C. Barnett presiding. Tho subject for discussion took tho form of a debate, and tho point at issue was: “-Should tho clubs as corporate bodies join the League of Nations Union, or should ltotarians join individually?” Tho Rotary Club of London recently hold a special British Rotary convention, when this subject was discussed with members of the Leaguo Union and League secretariat. ltotarian Ongley, in addressing the meeting, stated that he considered it a prior question as to whether tho club should co-operate at all In America, where Rotary was strongest, lie considered that tho League was weakest, and it was therefore necessary to consider the object of tho club. Twenty years ago Rotary had come into being through one man’s loneliness, and now fellowship had increased it enormously. At the commencement there were no ethics nor rules, but no such movement could exist without adopting some code, and when this had been accomplished it became world-wide and made marvellous advancement. Ihe League’s object was to establish an international peace, and that was where Rotary cam© into contact with the organisation. From the war people had learnt tho high cost of sacrifice. Nations had been shattered and gained victory—hut with tho next war there would ho no victory, and tho opposing factors would reap only destruction. From that fact had sprung the meaguo of Nations to bring universal peace. Tho speaker considered that the League was adopting politics in its constitution, and this was 'a detrimental step. Tho question remained asto whether tho body had extended its activities sufficiently. Those who spoke with authority (dated that, although another war might eventuate, it was not inevitable. Tho greatest danger to the world’s peaco, the speaker thought, was business and commercial principled. Tho Rotary movement was distributing goodwill and fellowship among businesses, wliilo the League tried to make peace between the nations. One could not help think that ltotarians must co-operate with tho union, for it was of little use tho delegates meeting at Geneva if tho peoplo did not secure an interest in the project. Popular opinion was the motive power-for the procuring of international peace, and therefore the League of Nations Union was purely an educational concern trying to secure tho people’s favour for the League’s decisions and resolutions, so that the British Empire would fall into line and assist in tho discharging of the object. If this was to he the sole reason for action on the part ol the union, then tho Rotarians would do well to join and assist. Tho only remaining question was to know how to help. “In my opinion,” said the speaker, “it would he a wrong step for the Hot-ary. clubs to join as corporate bodies the Leaguo of Nations Union, because of the constitution of Rotary itself.’’ It was then explained that to unite would violate a rule .which maintained that it was not permissible to do so. If it were a necessity, Rotarian Ongley said, he was sure that the clubs would act accordingly, but it was not essential now was it necessary. Tlie Leaguo Union was not confining itself to the accomplishment of international peace alone, but was entering into the ethics of commerce also. Another reason for objection was that the union was political —and Rotary was non-political. In tho past the spirit of Rotary w'as to work through tho medium of an individual, and not by means of the club proper, and in a parallel course, if they wished to assist the Leaguo, they would hat e to urge every Rotary member to join individually. If tho clubs united collectively, then personal opinion would creep in and embitter some person who was not in sympathy with the movement, and they would probably adopt a principle to which lie would not subscribe. Rotarians desired to aid tho ideal, and every, member should enrol, but it was not satisfactory to act in conflict with the constitution of the club. . . Rotarian J. A. Smith, in endorsing tho remarks of tho previous speaker, stated that a guarantee of universal peaco was necessary before ono could determine if it were -advisable to assist the union. Ho thought that collective effort was essential to obtain tlio objective, and felt that the Leaguo of Nations must appeal to the public as a wholo for support. Nations were now aiming 'at reconstruction and the League had given practical support. It had helped to stabilise currency and rendered assistance in many good causes, but organisation was required. In New Zealand clubs had been formed under the auspices of tlie union, hut they wero not active, and if tlie Rotary clubs co-operated, then it would necessarily have to be done as a body. A political quest would cause internal harm to the principles of Rotary, and therefore he deemed it wiser not to join, but for cacli individual to aid the union separately. ltotarian D. Aforrison remarked that his opinion concurred with tho other speakers’. Tliero was no doubt that tho Leaguo was a fine organisation with high ideals, and lie maintained that all should strive to help tlio movement. Knowledge of tho subject was required, and then one could place confidence in the scheme. He thought that the best method was for tlio Rotary clubs to obtain representatives to deliver brief resumes on tlie project. The assurance of the League working on right lines would eventually obtain tho faith of the people —and that was absolutely essential. “Tlie only way for Rotarians to assist,” concluded tho speaker, “is to obtain increased knowledge of the League’s activities. Rotarian A. H. Wright asked what would bo the position of the Brazilian Rotarians when their Government opposed the entry of Germany: He pointed out that tlie value of the League was brought into question when a small republic like Brazfl could upset its rulings and threaten its very existence. ~ , Rotarian H. E. Pacey. said Rotary had ideals, and its members should not hold tho old belief: “Alv country, right or wrong.” If America was standing out, that was no reason why wo should fail to do our duty. He thought, as a matter of fact, public opinion in America was in favour of the League. If ltotarians tried to associate as a body they would find themselves in a peculiar position, and might just as well bo expected to take a. stand in support of tlio Reform Pnrty, tho Prohibition Party, or some other such organisation. _ It was up to them as individual Rotarians to go out and do tlieir best, guided perhaps by the opinions which they heard expressed in their clubs. Votes of thanks to the speakers and to Air Salmon for bringing tlie subject before the club for discussion were carried by acclamation*