AUCKLAND ROTARIANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 15

AUCKLAND ROTARIANS.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL A GUEST

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

HIS EXCELLENCY'S TRIBUTE

The Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, was the guest of the Auckland Rotary Club at luncheon yesterday. The president, Mr. S. Reid, presided, over :i large attendance, which included a considerable number of visitors and guests, among whom was Sir George Richardson. In welcoming His Excellency, Mr. Rcid said: —"He has won the love and friendship of all in this fair land, and not "only because he is the representative of His Majesty our King, although that in itself would surely command our respect. Rather will we remember him as one who by his understanding, who. by his sympathy with every class and creed, typified all the best that is conveyed in that expressive phrase, 'One of Nature's own Gentlemen.' " (Applause.) Sir Charles Fergusson, in returning thanks for the warmth of the Rotarians' welcome, said that his wife and he recognised that they had been given opportunities which came to very few people, and if they had not been able to make some use of them it would have been to their shame. Now that their time in New Zealand v.as drawing to an end it was very painful to be going round the country and thinking, "We shall not see these beautiful spots and kind friends, probably, again." Every day that feeling was being brought home.

A belief that the Rotary movement had received a tremendous impetus as a result of the Great War was expressed by His Excellency. Rotary had taken a firm hold all over the world; it was increasing in strength, and would go on increasing. The war, with Jtll its troubles and misery, certainly had done one great thing for mankind; it had brought home to people the spirit of service in a way which nothing else could have done. Another great fact was that the war had wiped out the young men who Would have been the natural leaders of the young people who were growing up to-day. As a result, he believed, a feeling had come into the minds of £he older people that they • must stepf into the breach and take the place of those natural leaders who had been removed. Some spirit like that was at the root of half the movements for social service in our time.

Indicating that Rotary could do much toward filling this gap in leadership, His Excellency said that the movement was a great influence for good. Rotarians were spostles going out through the community to spread ideals and principles. They had given a tremendous impetus in some ways to gospels of various kinds which had borne good fruit in the community.

Like the other visiting Rotarians present, Sir Charles had made himself known earlier in the proceedings by stating his name, club and occupation. Hearty laughter greeted his description of himself as "Governor-General —but very pre carious."