ROTARY'S TASK IN WORLD PEACE

Chronicle (Levin), 24 September 1946, Page 4

ROTARY'S TASK IN WORLD PEACE

SIR HERBERT HART STRESSES NEED FOR SUPPORT OF UNITED NATIONS

The Levin Rotary Club's Weekly luilcheon yesterday had special signiflcance for members in that they had as guest the new Governor of No. 53 New Zealand District of Rotary International, Sir Herbert Hart, of Masterton, who gave his impressions of the recent Rotary convention in Atlantic. City, U.S.A., \Yhich he attended, and dealing in particular with the great task which lay ahead in promoting international understanding and ensuring lasting peace for the world. Sir Herbert was introduced by fche club's president, Rotarian E. R. Winkler, who said that whenever one contemplated those who had fllled the offlce of district governor one realised- that they had been standing models of what Rotary should be. Since the club was formed last year members had been in contact with quite a number of past district governors, and their capabilities and qualifications had been an inspiration. Sir Herbert was another outstanding personality to fill the offlce, and brought to it qualities of leadership, statesmanship and administrative ability second to none. Members looked forward with hope to the coming year under Sir Herbert, from whom they would receive an abundance of wise counsel. Rotarian Winkler warmly welcomed Sir Herbert to uhe club. After acknowledging the presiaent's welcome, Sir Herbert said the Levin Club was one of the youngest in his district, and it was also the second which he had visited since his recent return from the international convention of Rotary in the United States. He went on to say that until one attended such a gathering one could not fully realise what Rotary had accomplished ar>d its.tremendous possibilities. One thing which had struck him very forcibly had been the high calibre of the men in the movement. They were not orators, dreamers or idealists, but practical men who were heads of firms, many of them very large concerns, and who, in addition to their business activities, were taking a very active part in the affairs of their communities and countries. Topping all the distinguished men at the convention, to his mind, was Tom Warren, the immediate past president of Rotary Internatiqnal, who was only the second Britisher to hold that offlce. What he had said was worth hearing, and he had said it in a very impressive way. Sir Herbert stressed the importance of the part Mr. Warren's presence in the United States had played in the past twelve months foliowing the cessation of hostilities. He said Mr. Warren hoped to visit New Zealand this year and be present at the next district convention. Continuing, Sir Herbert said the smooth running of the convention had been upset to some extent by strikes and threats of strikes. The district governors' assembly had been held at Swamscott, a seaside resort of Boston, and was attended by about 400. It was followed by the convention in Atlantic City at which the attendance numbered 11,000 from many different countries of the world. It had been held in a vast hall which seated 45,000 people. The actual hall, which was

only part of the buildirig, wks 10(5 feet longer and 100 feet wider thaii a rugby football field, and the rooi did not have a single supporting pilla'r. Strangely enough the acoustics had proved just as good as those of any other hall. Coming as it had so sooh after the end of the war, continued Sir Herbert, it was fitting that niany oithe speeches at the conventioh dealt with international relations and the spirit of the" fourth object of Rotary — the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional men united in the ideal of service. It was pointed out what Rotary had done, was doing and could do in this field, and that if all nations would co-operate now in the ifray the Allies had done throughout the long struggle the world would get peace. "It was made clear at the convention that we would have to worR for peace," declared Sir Herbert, "but if there is anathy or ne'glect then as sure as night follows day somebody, somewhere at some time will have to fight agairi. If United Nations is to be the success we want it to be it can only eventuate through the solid mass of the' people of the world getting behind it, and by goodwill and understanding, which we have not got now." Another point stressed at the convention, proceeded the speaker, had been how well fitted Rotary was, being non-sectarian and hsiving no political or religious afflliations, but with representatives in almost every c'ountry, to carry out the task of educating public opinion in international goodwill and understanding, and to the full support of United ' Nations. All the good which sprang from Rotary in this direction had to come from the clubs in extending that public opinion. Rotary was only just making its beginning as far as Europe was concerned, and the great difficulties to overcome there . were nationalism, t^ie language problem and cleavage to doctrines. "Our task is to extend the pririeiple of goodwill and understanding throughout the world, but until nations forsake the doctrme of I might is right we will have to keefi strong," said Sir Herbert in con1 clusion. "No nation will make war against a league of nations unless there is a chance of success. LCt us put our trust in United Nations and do all we can to support it, but in the meantime keep strong. Rotarian D. P. Todd, who proposed a vote of thanks to the guest, said it had been his privilege recently to attend the district assembly in Timaru, and. Sir . Herbert's cbrdiality and inspiring leadership had made it a wonderful success. When one knew the foliowing Rotary had throuchout the world one realised what it could do, not onflr in eommunity matters but internationally. The vote of thanks was carried by hearty acclamation. In the evening a club assembly was held at which many Rotary I matters and club activities were ; discussed. Supper was disbensed and a pleasant time of social converse brought the function to a , close.