ROTARY CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1930, Page 6

ROTARY CONFERENCE

A LTR UJ STIC ELOQ UEXCE.

(Australian Press Associatiou)

SYDNEY, March 19

The Premier, Mr T. Bavin, welcoming delegates to a Rotary Conference here emphasised that they had come together 011 a common ground of goodwill and active service. He- added that the creation of personal friendship and mutual understandings among representatives of different countries was perhaps the strongest, and firmer basis of international harmony and goodwill which was a vital need of the world to-day.

W. Kitashinia, of Tokio, read a paper entitled “What Rotary had done towards the promotion of fellowship among peonies bordering on the Pacific.” He said the World War had taught a lesson. It had settled nothing. lie directed attention to excellent influences in the League of Nations, and remarked that Rotary was working along similar lines. Kitashinia dwelt on the suspicion of fear among foreign peoples who differed so much in religion, morals, stamina. and economic conditions. He added that the facilities of intercourse and communication available, Rotarians of the world were committed to the task of the advancement of an iindersaiidmg and of international

peace. Mr David Robertson, of Auckland, urged there was need for the promotion of Rotary fellowship. He said men should stop their money- making to gain more of the underlying principles of this movement. Living in an economic atmosphere, wrestling with problems of finance, men often forgot or allowed themselves no time for spreading, the message of peace and goodwill. Mr Robertson added: If it means anything, it means an end of aj 1 hate. It enables us to meet our one time foe. but not with a clenched fist, but with the hand of friendship.

Other speakers were largely local rotarians. ,

Cabled greetings to the conference were received from a number of European countries. (Received this day at 8 a.m.)

LONDON, March 19

W. (.’. AlcGonagle of Honolulu read a paper on Rotary’s influence on thu professional trade, and commercial interrelations of peoples round the Pacific, wherein he described how racial ptejudices were gradually being broken down.

A paper on somewha similar lines was read by Rotarian G. McDonald, of Invercargill.