21ST ANNIVERSARY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 26 June 1944, Page 6

21ST ANNIVERSARY

English-Speaking Union Members Celebrate

The purpose of the English-Speaking Union could be condensed into two words, said Dr. Alexander Gillies, president of the Wellington branch of the union, when addressing more than 200 branch members who met on Friday night at a special celebration tea and birthday party marklug the twenty-first anniversary ot the founding of the branch in Wellington. Dr Gillies, who briefly traced the history of the E.S.U., said that it ja’ founded in Britain in 1919. Since then it had spread throughout America and the British Empire. The initial meeting in New Zealand, which had been called by Mrs. de Castro (who still takes a keen interest in the organization and this year was responsible tor founding a branch in Christchurch), took place at the Pioneer Club in 1923. Mrs. de Castro was present at the gathering and was one of several members whom Dr. Gillies designated as stalwarts of the years gone by. Ihe period had been marked by great progress and enterprise, continued Dr. Gillies, referring to the wide influence of its work in the city. He welcomed Mr. Prescot Childs, American Charge d’affaires ‘in New Zealand, and Mrs. Childs, Colonel C. H. Weston, president of the British-American Co-operation Movement, and Mrs. Weston, and congratulated members on the interest and support sustained throughout the branch 8 tea a cake embossed with the union’s initials was cut by Mrs. Janies Bennie, one ‘of the foundation members, and Mrs. K. Preston nnd Mr. Leigh Hunt, who was the first acting-chair-man, helped to blow out its 21 candles Life membership badges were awarded to Mrs. Preston, Mrs. Bennie, Mr, Leigh Hunt, and Mr. J. W. Black', all of whom had served on the executive nnd maintained an active interest in the E.S.U. for many years. The chairman, Mr. R. C. Burton, who presented the awards, proposed the toast "To the E.S.U. and enduring understanding between the English-speaking peoples.” Shoulder sprays and buttonholes were given to a large group ot foundation members by the secretary, Mrs. Perry, and the evening concluded with a film screening arranged by Mrs. Z. V. Jacobsen. English, Canadian, and American films were shown, a particularly fine colour film, of Taupo, made by Mr. R. Botbaniley, being a featured item.