FOUNDER OF ROTARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 99, 30 April 1935, Page 4

FOUNDER OF ROTARY

VISIT OF PAUL HARRIS ROTARIANS’ IMPRESSIONS WANGANUI MEMBERS REPORT. Yesterday’s luncheon of the Wanganui Rotary Club toc-k the form of a “club” day when a general discussion of impressions gleaned by those Rotarians who visited Palmerston North recently took place. The occasion of the visit to Palmerston North was one distinctly unique so far as Rotary in New Zealand is concerned, for it was there that many Wanganui Rotarians had the pleasure of meeting Rotarian Paul Harris, the founder of the movement. Speaking of the visit to Palmerston North, Rotarian R. L. Thompson, president of the Wanganui Club, said that the gathering took place amidst pleasant surroundings. The presidents of the various clubs, New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Napier, Dannevirke and Palmerston North met Rotarian Paul Harris and escorted him to the dining-room where he had to lace approximately 200 Rotarians. “1 had rihe privilege of talking to Paul Harris for a few minutes before the luncheon and then 1 was able to glean some slight knowledge of how wonderfully human and lovable the man really is,” said Rotarian Thompson. “After the introduction of various Rotarians by their presidents (1 may say I was more than pleased io be able to introduce several of our foundation members) Paul Harris was introduced, and it appeared to me that we were once more at school with a real headmaster in charge, one who not only taught well but who was also competent to mould our destinies and 1 feel sure that all members there felt very small in their outlook when compared with the outlook of our master which he unfolded to use in the course of his address. He was at all times interesting, he was at all times a wonderful friend to Arthur Douglas and his wonderful band, comprising the League of Nations Union. ‘‘Paul Harris pointed out to us the full meaning of the six objects of Rotary to be applied not only abroad, but also at home, and he gave several instances which proved his statement and his assertions to the full. So many nowadays are apt to criticise hastily without a full knowledge of the point at stake, and we were delighted with some of the stories Paul told. Very often one finds one’s attitude towards other nations delightfully absurd when put to us in the right light. “He was lolling us of a man criticising China ami the Chinese,” continued Kotarian Thompson. “This man stated that it was his firm conviction that the Chinese were practically barbarians, in fact they even ale their fish raw, and the friend of the Chinese (a good Rotarian) said. 'But don’t you eat your oysters raw?’ The man said, ‘Yes.’ ‘And you don’t even clean your oysters do you?’ That was typical of Paul Harris’ instances of the hasty lack uf judgment of so many of us and he appealed to us before giving criticism of others, to postpone judgment ffo that the proper outlook may be brought to bear ou the matter in question, “Paul Harris also is a great believer in sentiment, not expressed foolishly, but in a proper and fit manner and at the right time, and we ourselves know when our worthy governor was so ill in America, one of the governors of Rotary postponed his trip Home and stayed with John llott until his recovery from his very nearly fatal illness was assured. There is a great deal of sun and shadow in our lives but the shadows were not there after Paul Harris’ address,” concluded Kotarian Thompson. Rotarians A. .Douglass ami Hope Gibbons also paid tribute to the founder of Rotary.