EMPIRE UNITY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 416, 22 November 1911, Page 6

EMPIRE UNITY.

THE OVERSEAS CLUB. The recently-formed Overseas Club started in England with the avowed object of drawing closer the ties that bind the Empire, has formed a branch in Auckland. We are in receipt of the following letter from the club secretary, and publish the same for the information of ail those who may wish to take an active part in the movement:

"This is one of the several oragnisations which originated in England in the hope of drawing England's sons and daughters in foreign lands into close communion with the Home land. The object and purpose of the Overseas Club is to extend the hand of fellowship to all British subjects overseas; the lonely ranche in Patagonia, the British pioneer in the great North-West of Canada, the isolated representative of the British flag in India, Burmah and Malaya, in all foreign counties, anywhere and every where over the earth's surface where isolated and lonely Britishers may be; all and sundry are invited to become members of the Overseas Club, and are thus brought into the AngloSaxon family circle. The Member's Creed runs thus: 'Believing the British Empire to stand for justice, freedom, order, and good Government, we pledge ourselves, as citizens of the Greatest Empire in the world, to maintain the heritage handed down to us by or fathers.' The organ of the club, the Daily Mail Overseas Edition, a copy of which, for an annual subscription of five shillings, will be sent direct from London to any address throughout the world. A business agency has been established in London, through which supplies of all kinds may be ordered, and business of any kind may be transacted; either direct, or through the local secretary (Mr J. C. Raine) 24 High street, Auckland, from whom cards of membership, specimen copies of the Overseas Daiiv Mail, and badges of the club may be obtained. These latter are made in various designs for wear by ladies and gentlemen, at prices varying from one to twentyone shillings. The sweet pea, red, white and blue, is the club flower and emblem. This club has caught on, like a house on fire, in all Overseas Dominions, and in less than one year, the rnemberhsip has reached 60,000 with 1800 branches all overseas, and principally due to the untiring efforts of some three or four thousand members. Branches are being furmed everywhere the flag flies, Governors of Dominions, Premiers and Cabinet Ministers have become members 01 the club; corps of defence guards are being formed in Canada and South Africa and juvenile branches for schoolchildren are being formed to carry on the proud motto, 'Pro Patria.' Because of the great distance from the centre of inspiration, New Zealand has lost time in taking a hand in this movement. But branches are now fast being formed, and no doubt this Dominion will soon be in line with Canada and South Africa. All British subjects of both sexes are eligible for membership. Any further information desired may be obtained from Mr J. C. Raine, hon. sec., 24 High street, Auckland.