CONTRAST IN ENGLAND.
The contrast between the bluff spirit of camararderie and " hail-fe'low-weU-met," as experienced in America and Canada, and the lack, of joyouamossthe sedatenese—-in EnglaKd was very marked, according to Rotarian Holdsworth. A spirit of gloom, apparently, pervaded the atmosphere, even of a Rotary meeting; light hearts were not in evidence anywhere.
At a Rotary meeting of 500 members, held in London, a Hindoo addressed the assembly, and one got a glimpse of the "international" spirit of Rotary, when he learned that, although there were 50 Americans presBent, among whom one would expect to find at least some semblance of the "colour-bar," the. speaker was received with distirifct approval. He gently reproved element present, upon v the faet that Americans were prone to wear, metaphorically speaking, a badge bearing the letters "W.W.W." for "We Won the War," pointing out that a badge they could possibly wear with pardonable pride would be one bearing the letters "W.S.R." for "We Started far greater and more honourable distinction in the orator's estimation than the winning i of the war.
Rotarian Holdsworth onee again caused great amusement when, in dwelling at some length on the sedate, conservative atmosphere in England and the lack of "joyousness" on the part of the Hnglish, he related the following story: — A country member of a most exclusive London club was residing at the club for some days, and pointing to a quiet old gentleman occupying an easy chair in a secluded corner, askei the steward who the old gentleman was.
"Oh, that's old Lord Castlereagh," whispered the steward.
"Theif iyenjkove him," said the country member, "he's been * dead two days.'' V * "As this conference occurred at the time when Greece and Italy were rattling the sabre,' " said Rotarian Holdsworth, "naturally the prospects of war between those two countries was eagerly discussed in London, and, remembering our huge Itotary Congress in St. Louiß, and the friendliness and evident indications that international feeling had been overshadowed by the strong, unbreakable bonds of 'Rotary,' I could not but feel, from the bottom of my heart, that Rotary was the only powpr on earth which could make all mankind live together in friendly understanding."
Mr. Stanley Baldwin, speaking at a Rotary Club meeting in London, had said that Rotary could do a vei-y great deal to stem the rising tide of unrest in England; and could do a tremendous amount of good in promoting a better understanding between employer and employee. During the latter portion of his address the speaker emphasised his be-
lief-V the power of Rotary aV the only possible' means of banishing - the mutual distrust which exists between the various- classes in England; aad -Concluded 4 n ' oration, whi'ch held his audience.' spellbound throughout,: • ."bjy quoting a beautiful poem by Edgar Gue3t, which so clearly expressed the speaker's own opinion of Rotary^
Thanking his fellow-members, and guests for the good hearing he had been accorded, and for the splendid and
enjoyable time he had had, Rotarian Holdswortli drew Ms address to a close. The chairman then proposed a vote of thanks to Rotarian Holdsworth, and the members then sang a Rotary chorus and the National Anthem, followed by three hearty cheers for the Prince of Wales, in honour of his 31st birthday, which was yesterday.
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Northern Advocate, 24 June 1925, Page 3
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547CONTRAST IN ENGLAND. Northern Advocate, 24 June 1925, Page 3
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