PHILOSOPHY OF ROTARY CAN BE EFFECTIVE BASIS FOR PEACE

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 September 1946, Page 4

PHILOSOPHY OF ROTARY CAN BE EFFECTIVE BASIS FOR PEACE

“If civilisation is to survive we must learn to live together In peace, and the philosophy of Rotary could be the most effective instrument to the attainment of this end," declared Mr. R. P. London, retiring president of thWanganui Rotary Club, speaking on Rotary International, at the annual dinner last night. "When thinking of Rotary one is stimulated to ask at least two questions,” he said. Firstly, why have over 280,000 of the world’s business and political leaders been attracted to the movement, and how has their interest been sustained—in many cases to the point of extreme enthusiasm? Secondly, what is there about, this organisation which has such an appeal to so many people, irrespective of latitude, longitude, or language? “The answers to these questions are found in the history, the aims and objects and the achievements of Rotary International through the clubs which make up its membership. “The history is somewhat unique," he continued. “From one club of four members 41 years ago to 5300 clubs comprising 280,000 members to-day, and that increase notwithstanding the qualifications of membership plus the classification rule, which allows of only one representative of each trade or calling, is surely phenomenal “In New Zealand alone, from two clubs in 1921 to 52 clubs, comprising 2600 members to-day, we have more Rotarians in proportion to the population than any other country. “Rotary has three offices apart from R.I. in Chicago. One in Zurich, which looks after the affairs of Rotary in Europe, and did a great job for prison, ers of war, and is now supervising the work of reconstruction. One in London. which handles the problems of Rotary in Britain and Ireland, and

one in Bombay, which attends to lhe wants of the clubs of middle and East Asia. This latter office was responsible for outstanding work during the recent famine in India,” the speaker said.

Some of Rotary's achievements over the last few years were outlined by Mr. London. Its ideal of service is of course not new, and is adhered to by millions outside this number, but Rotary does suggest its practical realisation in private, social and business life, and often opens up new avenues to many who wish to serve their communities and countries. “Perhaps the greatest tribute ever paid to our organisation is the fact that Rotary was invited to send consultants to the United Nations Conference, where 50 Rotarians took an active part, some as leaders ot their countries' delegations, others as members of delegations, and the balance in an-advisory capacity. Commenting on their work, Mr. Stettinius had this to say:

"The invitation to Rotary to participate in the United Nations Conference was not merely a gesture of goodwill and respect for a great organisation. It was a simple recognition of the practical part Rotarians have played, and will continue to play, in the development of understanding among nations. The representatives of Rotary were needed at San Francisco, and they made a considerable contribution to the Charter itself, and particularly to the framing of the nrovisions for the Economic and Social Council." “Mr Anthony Eden- himself a Ro tarian—has stated that Rotary can do more toward the bringing about of international understanding than an;> Foreign Minister. Two oui or three of President. Truman's Cabinet, arc Rotarians. Two-thirds ot' the Rehabilitation Council set. up by the British Government, for Holland arc members of Rotary, and the movement has been invited, and accepted the offer, to have representatives at the various conferences which have arisen out of the United Nations Conference. "Reports from the various conferences, particularly the Peace Conference. tend to remind us that the work of world reconstruction appears to be almost beyond human power, yet when one considers the still greater problems which faced the British nation in 1914, our problems of to-day should never be regarded as tnsupeiable.

“This is where Rotary' comes In. Every single week of every year in nearly 80 countries, there arc 5800 platforms where all the messages of the world, all the prophets, all the men who have an idea, can find a ready audience, an audience open to conviction. an audience ready to listen, having listened and having been convinced, ready to render service

“That is our Rotary. An organisation out. to produce men with the courage to change those things which should be changed, with the fortitude to endure those things which cannot be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish between the two." he concluded.