A Maungatapere Landmark

Northern Advocate, 28 August 1947, Page 6

A Maungatapere Landmark

There is agreement by all thinking people that goodwill and understanding between nations cannot be expected unless individual nationals try to establish goodwill and understanding' between themselves and their neighbours, and between their own community and other communities.

Men of goodwill are awakening to a realisation that they must do all that lies within their own compass of influence to break down prejudices which hinder the growth of friendliness, and remove causes of misunderstanding between individuals, communities, creeds, religions and nations. The climb towards that far-off divine event to which the whole creation moves must, like charity, begin at home, and according to the spirit in which the journey is undertaken will there grow the goodwill among individuals required as a stepping stone to the higher things the world yearns for.

These thoughts are moved by a decision of the Rotary Club of Whangarei, which last evening invited farmers in a wide area based on Maungatapere to attend the club’s weekly meeting, the venue of which

was changed to the Maungatapere Hall. This innovation was in accordance with a Rotary desire to promote goodwill and understanding between town and country people, who do not have as many opportunities as are desirable to make personal contact with one another.

There is too often a tendency on the part of some town dwellers and some country dwellers to regard themselves as separate and distinct entities whose interests are wide as the poles.

111-advised supporters of these ideas create feelings which obstruct the co-operation required of sections of a community whose interests are interdependent. It is clearly foolish for either urban or rural individuals to aggravate misunderstandings and jealousies as affecting town and country. The surest road to the promotion of goodwill and understanding is that which leads to fraternisation on as many occasions as possible. Last night’s gathering of Rotarians and their guests was a great success, and it is safe to say that the fruit of the mingling will be growth of mutual respect and admiration.