POLICY OF ROTARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 86, 30 September 1947, Page 5

POLICY OF ROTARY

ORGANISING FOR PEACE WORLD PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS Spreading “the gospel of friendship” among the nations of the world was urged by Mr S. Kendrick Guernsey, president of Rotary International, in an address to about 150- Rotarians in Rotorua on Saturday, Mr G. McDowell, president of the Rotorua Rotary Club, presided over a gathering of representatives of clubs from the area between Auckland and Palmerston North.

“The cornerstone of Rotary is fellowship and friendship,” Mr Guernsey stated. "The first evidence of dawning civilisation was the fellowship of man—it caused man to cease relying on his own brain and brawn, and threw him into relationship with his fellowman. The monument of lack of fellowship among nations have been wars. They are the monuments of men’s blood and women’s tears.” There were several avenues which would provide a practical approach to the problem of international understanding, he continued. His first determination and ambition upon being elected president of Rotary International had been to bring about a resurgenee of Rotary and fellowship. This year would be characterised by a revival of enthusiasm in the principles of Rotary. Information About UNO A special committee on international affairs had been established at Rotary headquarters. A board of seven men with wide experience in educational, diplomatic and other spheres would bring forward practical recommendations as to how best Rotary could advance international understanding. “It is a committee of which all Rotary can be proud,” he added. An aims and objects committee of Rotary International had also been set up. This was to devote its time, energy and creative thought to the study of that organisation, so that its progress and strength might be greater. Another objective was to spread true information about the United Nations’ Organisation to each club throughout the world. UNO had not accomplished what the people might have hoped, but it was the only compact instrument in the world which had the power to outlaw war today, continued Mr Guernsey.

He compared the struggles of UNO to reach a common understanding with those of the early days of America, when heads of 13 original States, bound together by the aim of a United States, had taken 11 years over the task, owing to constant disharmony. Great Thing is Friendship “I beg you to have confidence in United Nations, and give it your support and study,” he urged. “Do not look only at the dark side, the points of disagreement. Look at the points of agreement—they far outweigh the others. “The expansion of Rotary throughout the world is another objective. I want to see every man who wears the Rotary emblem consecrated in the ideals of our great organisation,” he continued. All the resources of Rotary International, its brain power, money power and high idealism, were pledged toward this end. So long as there was in the world ignorance and hatred, a need for social services, lack of vocational guidance, a need to bring the ethics of business to higher standards, and goodwill, was wanted, Rotary service was required.

“Rotary stands for principles and believes in ideals, and is not afraid to say so,” he added. “It believes that the greatest thing in this world is friendship, and is trying to spread this gospel among nations.” Mr Guernsey was accorded musical honours before his address. A vote of thanks, moved by the Governor of the 52nd Rotary District, Mr R. F. Gambrill, of Gisborne, was carried with loud applause.