UNIVERSAL RACES CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14629, 15 March 1911, Page 8

UNIVERSAL RACES CONGRESS.

FIRST MEETING IN JULY. [FROM OUR OW«f COnRBSMSDBST.] , London, February 3. The First Universal Races Congress is to be held at the London University from July 26 to 29. The Hon. W. Pember Reevea is chairman of the executive. In conversation -with Mr. Gu&tav Spiller, the hon. general secretary, a representative of the New Zealand Herald was told that invitations to foreign Governments had already been issued through t/lie Foreign Office, and the invitation to the dominions would come from the Colonial Office. He hoped that Sir Joseph Ward' would be prevailed upon to lengthen his stay in this country in order to attend the Congress. Questioned about the Maori being represented, Mr. Spiller expressed the hope that some of the leading members of the race would come over, end lie would like to see them at the Congress. He proposed to write to. New Zealand at once, and ascertain what arrangements could bin made. The official Congress languages will be English, German, Italian, and French, though an Oriental tongue may now and then announce the soul of Asia. With the aid of many experts the Congress agenda is being gradually elaborated, and the prime purpose may be said to cultivate mutual knowledge and respect between Occidental and Oriental peoples. Over 50 persons of distinction have agreed to prepare papers, and these belong to over 20 countries, including China, Japan, India, Turkey, Persia. Egypt, South and West Africa, Hayti, United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, and Norway. Among the writers of papers are Sir S. Olivier (Governor of Jamaica), Sir C. Bruce (late Governor of Mauritius), Sir John Macdonnell (Master of the Supreme Court), Sir H. Johnston (the famous traveller), Mr. Israel Zangwill (who is to speak on the Jewish races), Miss Margaret Noble (Sister Nivedita), besides eminent Continentals, such as M. Leon Bourgeois (the leading spirit of the second Hague Conference), Baron d'Estournelles de Constant (one of the most highly respected Internationalists), Professor Guiseppe Sergi (the eminent anthropologist), and Dr. Zamenhof (the originator of Esperanto), as well as distinguished Americans, such as Professors Adler, Reinsoh, and Boas. New Zealanders who are interested in the Congress can obtain all information from Mr. G. Spiller, 63, South Hill Park, Hampstead, London. -■ •