CIVIC RECEPTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 13

CIVIC RECEPTION

TRIBUTES TO VISITORS

SPREAD OF MOVEMENT

NEW ZEALAND'S DESTINY

City councillors, Rotarians and representative citizens gathered in the City Council chamber at noon yesterday to join ii;i the civic reception accorded by the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Harris Mr. Hutchison traced the beginning? of the Rotary- movement among four men in Chicago 30 years ago, who sought to mal;e a practical application of the age-old proverb, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." "One of these four," said Mr. Hutchison, "and the one chiefly responsible for the development of the idea pvolved by them, wasi Mr. Paul Harris, of Chicago, an attorney by profession, who is our guest of honour to-day. Since that time th<i gospel of Rotary has spread out from Chicago in radiating circles until it has entered every continent and almost every nation on earth. When one regards Rotary from the point of view of citizenship, one must acknowledge its beneficent influence."

Community Duties

Tho fulfilment of the Rotary ideal of service in community life had done much, he said., wherever Rotary clubs existed, to bring members to a realisation of their community duties and obligations; and it might fairly be claimed that the existence within each nation of a band of men imbued with | the desire for international understanding must help to moijld a public opinion that would eventually exclude direct action in the settlement of international disputes. It was not given to many men to nee an ethical seed that they had sown germ inate, grow and fructify, and Mr. Harrii;. must be a very happy 111 a.Ji. He was not more happy, however, than they were to welcome Mrs. Harris and him among them that day. In further welcoming Mr. Harris Mr. G. L. Taylor, president of the Auckland Rotary Club, referred to the fact that the movement was now flourishing in 50 countries, and that there were 3/00 club:;, with a total membership of over 150,000. Mr. C. J. Tunks spoke'of Mr. Harris as a man who had conferred a great benefit, not merely on his own country, but on the whole world, and said they did right to offer him.- a hearty and sincere welcome to the city. Tourist Possibilities Mr. Harris expressed their indebtedness to the Mayor and to all who took part in the welcome. Among the many things that had impressed them in their travels in Australia and New Zealand were those delightful and dignified civic receptions, which, however, almost tended to overwhelm the visitor. The kindness they had been everywhere enjoying :in Australia and this country had made them feel very much fit home. Among the experiences thai; had given them great joy here Wis the responsiveness to high ideals, find the determined efforts New Zealanders- were making to establish tho finest civilisation that could be found in any part of the world. They had a. homogeneous population that made it easy to rally public opinion around anything based on good old AngloSaxon doctrine.

Perhaps £vew Zealand had gone further than any other country in bringing forward many things that tended toward higher civilisation. Further tourist publicity in America would result in a line harvest, he said, if thev called a "fine harvest" a lot of Americans coming to this country and leaving a lot of dollars behind them. This morning Mrs. Harris will be entertained at tea by ladies associated with the Rotary movement. The afternoon will be devoted to sightseeing and in the evening Mr. and Mrs. Harris will be the guests of honour at a private gathering. Mr. and Mrs. Harris will leave for Honolulu by the Mariposa to-morrow.