THE POLAR FLAG

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1933, Page 3

THE POLAR FLAG

BYRD AND THE ROTARTANS

A GIFT AND A PROMISE.

(Special to the United Press Assn.)

BOSTON (Mass.), June 27

Yesterday and to-day New Zealand was prominently in the picture at the Rotary International Convention now being held here, and in tile minds and hearts of American . citizens. The Dominion Inis been properly put on the map by a simple little incident—tile handing over' to Rotary International Oi the flag taken by Rear-Admiral Byrd te the South Pole on behalf of the Wellington Rotary Club., As a prominent. Bostonian who had brought honour to his native land, and as a Rotarinu himself, the RearAdmiral was asked to speak at the opening of the proceedings, and he did so in felicitous language, mentioning that in 1926 he carried with him a Rotafiari flag to the North Pole. He went oil to say : “When 1 reached New Zealand, which is, as you know, the nearest place to the Little America, our base there, the . Rotary Club in Wellington presented me with a Rotary flag which I took across the South Pole. (Applause.) " 1 understand that there is a delegation, here from New Zealand. J want to give, them my warmest welcome, and tell them how delighted J am to see them in this country. Certainly the people of New Zealand treated us as brothers when we were down there. Our expedition owes them all a very great" debt of gratitude. I was proud to carry the'Rotary flag belore. I believe "absolutely in what Rotary stands for. I. think it is a wonderful thing- to see-"these people gathered here from all over the world in friendship, and I thin!; it is going to help the progress ot the World. “So I took the flag, and if I am permitted to do so, I will take if again We are leaving on the Loth • September to spend another two years down there. Tie expect to find, and hope to find, a new'C’ontnmnt, on the face of the earth. 1 will take that flag on our flight of discovery when we try to find, that new continent.” This morning, the silken flag va* presented by the Governor of Rotary in New Zealand (Rotarian T. C. List). In doing so he told the convention oi the warm feeling which had sprung up between Rear-Admiral Byrd, his officers and men. at their base in New Zealand Indeed, the famed aerial conqueror had proved a wonderful ambassador —tno .United States could have chosen no better—and the Dominion felt it an honour to have him and his men as guests, it would give New Zealanders great, pleasure to know that he would be returning there later in the year, and . they would much appreciate the kindly references he made regarding them the previous morning. “We were glad to wpicomc .'hiin before,”- said .Rotarian List; .“we .will be doubly •happy.-when lm return's.” (Applause.)

He then handed the flag to. President CLnton Anderson, saying,. that the Wellington Rothiry Club felt Rotary international was. the appropriate repository for such a token of international amity.. . f ... .., Tlie vast audience then rose and enthusiastically applauded. President Anderson replied

“I am sure you would want me to say to Admiral ..Byrd" that, wherever he may go; under . whatever circumstance* lie. may fly, we want him to- realise that lli's ship is also carried along and lifted into the skies by the good wishes of liis fellow-Rotar.'ansf; that wherever he may carry the flag of Rotary we know that lie Will carry it with honour and credit to our organisation; and we hope that lie may long live as an ambassador of goodwill between all parts of tlie world, particularly between Rotarians from one land to another.'’

Rear-Admiral Byrd said lie 'thought Ibis was a wonderful gesture oil t»e part of New Zealand. It was a beautiful thing that had ! t>eeh done to present the flag. “In order to further strengthen the link between New Zealand and this country, I pledge myself how that when we fly over unknown regions in the Antarctic, if \Ve get there in good shape, 1 ain going to name a part of tlmt area, jh the name of the New Zealand Rotary clubs and for the Rotary clubs, Little New Zealand.” (Loud and.prolonged-applause). Admiral Byrd was visibly moved by the thoughtful act of the Wellington Rotary Gibb, the felicitous references to the regard in which he is held in the southern Dominion, the gracious words of President Anderson, and the demonstration of the 8500 Rotarians gathered in the big building from the four corners of the earth. After lie sat down crowds rushed to the-platform to shake him and Rotarian List- -by tlfe hand, and hundreds of hoys wanted” their autographs. The incident - was one of the happiest aiid most striking,’as it was one of the most unexpected, of a week’s memorable proceedings. >