NEW IMPERIAL CENTRE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 191, 8 May 1920, Page 5

NEW IMPERIAL CENTRE

the_Ovcrseas Club and Patriotic League t n r ', ? TCrseas - Notnin S has yet been decided as to-the name of the new organisation, says.tlie "Daily Mail." |n tho past, objections have been raised ™n£TrT n ty? t .t o v the appellation Koval Colonial on the ground that people m.tho dominions do not like the term "colonial." It is also urged that the name gives no indication, that the institute embraces India in the sphere ot its work, whereas it is as-much concerned with our Eastern Empire as with the dominions and colonies. ' . The Colonial Institute has .for its president the Duke of Connaughti and hir Uarles Lucas is the chairman of the councili while Lord i\orthcliffe is the president of the Overseas Club and Patriotic League of Britons Overseas, and the Wrench" 1 tS CDuncil is Ma J? r Evelyn One.of the reasons that has led to the nmalgamation of. these organisations is the fact that the members of tho two councils are to a considerable extent the same men; and in addition, their objects nie tlio.eame-to stimulate interest in tie Overseas Empire and to promote every thing that makes for a united Lmpire. Ihe main difference bctwesu the two bodies is in administration. the Overseas Cliib. which is much the yoimpr, has a . lower subscription of membership than the lioyal Colonial Institute, but the,hew scheme provides for •in adjustment in this respect. At tho pml.ot 1919 the membership roll of the institute comprised 14,811 Mows, associ- • fttcs and afthated members. As. regards the Overseas Club, tho project of amalgamation concerns tho subscribing members only, who at the same dale numbered 25.055. Tho combined ■ mem-Dei-slim of tho amalgamated society Jft°«Sr- * i ?, nmonnt to considerably over 10,000. which goes some way in the direction of the goal of 100,000. members which Hie late Lord Grey desired to'seo as members of the institute alone. ■Ihe memorial funds of tho two bodies W -r aC . h(!d ft totnl ' of "early 4(0.000 without a „y appeal io the £ Ic. Ihis sum will, be applied towards the extension ot the existing site in Nor- - thumberland. Avenue, the erection of a new building designed as a centre where ail visitors from overseas will find a welcome, and from whiclr the numerous 'r f" t , le com biMd society will Iho hopes and aspirations of tho ioint ' \l Wl } me t mder a «nm of 4450,000, which represents the total of the two separate appeals mada P.mr to.'the present arrangement, and in view of the enormous rise in cost it is probable 'that eventually the total reUuirM will reach half a million.