ROTARY CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 20, 20 December 1932, Page 11

ROTARY CLUB.

SOCIAL GATHERING

To mark the closing of activities for the year, the Palmerston North Rotary Club held a social gathering lust evening at Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame’s rooms, at which there was a large attendance of members and Rotary Anns, also several visitors, both ladies and gentlemen. After dinner an adjournment was made to the large club room where a pleasant social evening was spent, several musical items being rendered and some business transacted.

The president (Rotarian AV. G. Black) referred to the Rotary Conference to be held in Palmerston North next year and the secretary, Rotarian G. Priest, stated that the dates for the conference were the last two days in February and the first day in March. He asked Rotarians and Rotary Anns to bring the matter beforo their friends within the next few weeks. A good deal of work had already been done by the committees and he asked the conveners, to hold meetings of committees as soon after the holidays as possible. The president said that Mrs Black, as hostess for the conference, was desirous of having a meeting of Rotary Anns after the holidays, as early as possible in 1933. A welcome was extended by the chairman to Rotarian H. 8. M. Quigley, president of the Dannevirke Rotary Club, Mr Black stating that the two clubs had a good deal in common, and he expressed to the Dannevirke body best wishes for the coming year. In returning thanks, Rotarian Quigley expressed his pleasure at being present. The Palmerston North and Dannevirke Clubs had always worked well together. Although they were passing through hard times,' Rotary had made better men of them and the members of his club had promised to do all in their power for their town and district in the ensuing year. The Dannevirke Club would help to make the coming conference a success. He knew that the Palmerston North club had done wonders and had proved its usefulness to the community. The spirit of service was now seen in a new_ light and they, as Rotarians, must rise to the occasion. He expressed to the local club best wishes for a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Thd president stated that this year the club had continued the practice started in 1931 of giving prizes for essays, the object being to promote thought and interest in international subjects amongst the,pupils of the secondary schools. This year the subject of the essays had been the Effect of Tariffs on International Relationships” and, although the subject had somewhat restricted the numbers, the competition had brought forward some very fine essays. . The president, assisted by Rotarian H B. Reid, then presented the prizes' to the successful scholars as follow: —Girls, Miss U. Sheppard 1, Miss L. Sheppard special; boys, Master C. Grace 1, Master L. Verry special. The president that the international service committee had

been very pleased with the papers received. He also mentioned that Master Verry, the winner of one of the special prizes this year, had won first prize last year. At the request of the president, Master Leslie Verry gave a short address on Anglo-American relationships, stating that he had prepared the address for a competition at the High School. He referred to. the early days of ./Lmerican colonisation, speaking of the “chapter of blunders” by which the United States came into being. In the past hatred of England had been traditional in the United States. To this day in the western States there existed great provincialism. At the time of the American Civil War the actions of Britain so incensed America that war was only narrowly averted. • Tracing history up to the days of tire Great War he spoke of America’s entry in 1917. The Great War revealed to America what her nationality was and to-day public men were emphasising the affinities of the two nations. But the question of war debts still divided the two countries. America claimed these moneys as a commercial debt, but within the next five years America s decision was going to bo reversed. The future of the whole world was bound up in Anglo-Ameri-can amity. Out of the bitterness and disputes there had arisen a new friendship between the United States of America and the British Commonwealth of Nations.

The president congratulated the speaker on his address on a very intricate subject.

The president expressed his pleasure at seeing so many visitors present. He wished them all a merry Christmas and hoped that 1933 would offer a little greater prosperity than they had hitherto seen. Although there would be a great deal of work and hardship, it was only by grit and determination that they could progress and it could not be very long before they would find the turn for the better that they were looking for. The president then introduced the speaker for tire evening, Miss Dora West, who gave a very fine address (reported in another column). Songs were contributed by Rotarian C. Cronin and Master Jamieson, duets by Mr and Miss Wollerman, and items on the guitar by Mr A, Sundborn, At the conclusion, thanks were accorded by acclamation to those who had contributed to the success of the gathering.' Supper was then partaken of, the toast of the board of directors and Rotary International being honoured.

The vice-president, Rotarian AV, 8, Carter, extended to the president and Mrs Black the club’s best wishes for an enjoyable holiday.