ROTARY CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22508, 28 February 1935, Page 7

ROTARY CONFERENCE

GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT FOSTERING SPIRIT OF GOODWILL (Pee United Press Association) TIMARU, February 27. At the opening of the Rotary Conference this morning the district governor (Mr J. M. A. llott) extended a cordial welcome to delegates from all parts ot the Dominion. He said that during the year the membership of the 22 clubs had increased from 1131 to 1193. “ Rotary has not discovered new formulas or new principles or ideals toi governing men and their relations —its dominant ideals and principles have animated men of goodwill since the beginning of time—but it has given them a new setting,” he daid. Many Rotanans thought that the famous formula setting out the objects of Rotary should be restated and, during the conference, the matter would be considered. The conterence would also consider the needs ot crippled children. , , A The district governor proceeded to give an account of his stewardship, stating that his long illness, had prevented him from carrying out many plans and resolutions. He had found it possible to visit only a limited number of clubs, but he hoped to visit most of the others before the new district governor returned from the international conference. He looked back with pleasure on’ the great experience he had had in meeting Rotary executives at the International Assembly at Vancouver and at District Convention. He was delighted to find that New Zealand stood so high in the Rotary world and in the esteem of its officers. The visit had brought him many new friends and had extended his views of Rotary 8 possibilities, internationally. He paid a tribute to the assistance given by District Governor Ceoil Buchanan, ot South Africa, officers of Rotary International, and the district Rotarians, during hie illness. He also referred to the loss suffered by Rotary in New Zealand by the deaths of Sir George Fowlds, the first honorary commissioner, and District Governor T. C. List, whose memories, would long remain. .... Referring to the progress of the Rotary International, Mr Hott said that in July, 1924, it had 153,173 members. To-day the membership was 155,000. There were 3726 clubs, of which 2577 were in North America. The speaker then gave a resume of operations during the past year, and expressed pleasure at the growth of intercity meetings. “It is but 15 years on June 7 since Layton Ralston launched the first Rotary Club in New and a day later the late Jim Davidson inaugurated the Auckland Club. 1' rom its foundation Rotary has grown and appreciated the efforts of its membership, and their willingness to help in service. Let this be our-aim and our determination in the years to come. We can only get out of Rotary what we put into it. Rotary’s job is not to reform the world and not to solve the social problems, but to create friendship and the spirit ot goodwill and to help all the members those organisations that have that end in view." In the evening Sir Alexander Roberts gave nn address on the foundation anti growth of Rotary from 1905, when the movement emanated from the brain of Mr Paul Harris, of Chicago, up. to the present time. There were, he said, 3733 clubs in the world, with a total membership of lj Mr°E. Hitchcock (Christchurch) spoke on the ethics and philosophy of Rotary, referring to its executive responsibility. He affirmed that Rotary could demonstrata that its status in the community, its particular social grade of material, its 1 varied resources and.contacts could all be consecrated in deed and in truth. to placing service above self. What limits,, then, could be placed to its possible service.to the community? He implored all clubs and members to give greater support to the League of Nations and its ideals. Why, they bad not done so to a greater extent in the past would remain to him a perpetual Rotary mystery.