“ROTARY" AND WELFARE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 205, 25 May 1921, Page 6

“ROTARY" AND WELFARE LEAGUE

A COMMUNITY OF IDEALS

“SHOULD WORK TOGETHER,” SAYS

LEAGUE SECRETARY

According to tho national secretary (Mr. Arthur I’. Harper), the New Zealand Welfare League is likely to take an interest in the operations of the rotary clubs, which tho visiting commissioner (Mr. J. L. Ralston) hopes to have established in New Zealand shortly. "I think the rotary elute should ho a great success,” said Mr. Harper to a Dominion reporter yesterday. "Tho principle of the rotarian is practically the same as that of the Welfare League.

In fact, the similarity is remarkable. The Rotary Club, according to Mr. Ralston, has for its aim the welfare of the community rathqr than that uf the section or individual. As Mr. Ralston says, "It might be described as a form of business and professional freemasonry which has for its aim the wolfarc of the town or tho community, rather than that of the individual." That is practically the aim of the Welfare League, which goes further, and employs propaganda as one of its methods in reaching

the public. The Welfare Longue is an organisation of loyal citizens which places the national or community interests before those of any party, section, or individual, and whose general policy and activities would be purely impartial in the public interest both in political and Industrial matters. The rotary movement, of course, is not sectional in any way, and its operations do not extend to the field of politics.” Would the activities of the rotary elute clash in any way with the operations of the Welfare League? asked the reporter. "Not in the least, as far as I can see,” answered Mr. Harper. "The ideals of the organisations are practically the same. I think the two would work in harmony.” In this connection the Dominion’s informant spoke of the strangely simultaneous growth of the welfare movement throughout English-speaking countries early in 1919. As tho Welfare League was being formed in New Zealand, the People’s League and the Middle Class Union were in tho process of formation in England: tho League of Good Citizenship was initiated in Australia; and the Golden Rule Club, a most remarkable organisation, came into existence in the United States of America. The motto of the last-named club was "The golden rule for all—a square deal.” Other of its maxims were "12 inches to the foot,” and "16 ounces to the pound,” indicative of the true community spirit.

"Another remarkable thing,” said Mr. Harper, "is that the platform—the ideal —of these organisations, scattered over thousands of miles, was practically similar in oach ease. I was quite surprised to rend in reports of other organisations statements made here in connection with our own league in New Zealand. . . .

The general aim of all the welfare movements is to diminish unrest by positive propaganda, to combat the ideals of class hatred and violence; and to show the necessity for increased production, in the interest of the. community at large.”