GROWTH OF ROTARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23620, 2 April 1940, Page 9

GROWTH OF ROTARY

FORMATION 35 YEARS AGO APPLYING IDEAL OF SERVICE The rapid growth of Rotary, since its formation 35.years ago and the manner in which it sought to appty its ideal of service were described by Mr. G. J. Park, principal of the Seddon Memorial Technical College, in an address at the weekly luncheon of the Auckland Rotary Club yesterday. Mr. Park spoke more particularly to junior members of the staffs of Auckland business houses, who were guests of the club members. "Rotary is a young institution looking forward to life, but its growth has been one of the phenomena of the world to-day," Mr. Park stated. "The Auckland Cltib is now just one of about 25 in New Zealand, 50 in Australia, and 5000 scattered throughout the world. It has a membership of 200,000 and, as its growth has been independent of race, religion., politics and nationality, the reasons for its development are worth pondering over." Mr. Park explained the principles on which the Rotary movement was based, emphasising the value of the ideal of giving service. This was a conception, he said, of the greatest value to youth. THE WEEKLY LUNCHEON PLANS FOR OREWA FORUM Plans for a forum"to be held at Orewa 'next week-end were announced by the president, Mr. C. K. Grierson, at the weekly luncheon of the Auckland Rotary Club in Milne and Choyce's Reception Hall yesterday. He said that, in addition to 40 or 50 Auckland members, there would be representatives from the Dargaville and Wliaugarei Clubs and, it was hoped, from the Hamilton Club. * Junior members of the staff;} of the businesses with which members are associated were the guests oi: the club at the luncheon. The speaker was Mr. G, J. Park, principal of the Seddon Memorial Technical College, whose subject was the importance of the ideal of service.

Rotarians from other clubs and visitors at the luncheon included Messrs. E. C. Klindworth (Portland, United States), J. Cheney (San Francisco), W. E. Sims (South Australia), A. H. Gaze (Melbourne), L, Raymond (Sydney), G. Griffiths (Hastings), and W.. S. Drake. „ , _ . Reference tp the death of the Prime Minister, v Mr. Savage, was made by Mr. Grierson, and members stood in silence for a brief period as a tribute to his memory.