ROTARY CLUB.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 121, 24 April 1925, Page 12

ROTARY CLUB.

DISCUSSION ON ORGANISATION. At flto Rota-y Club luncheon yesterday an informal discussion took place on various features and on the control of Rotary. Rotarian 11. L. Young presided over a good attendance. The chairman read a report by Rotarian Fowlds, of Auckland, on the recent successful Rotary conference in Wellington und which also dealt with Hie suggested formation of the clubs in New Zealand into a separate Rotary district. The conference bad advocated that in connection with the movement, to establish such a body, the question be referred to the Dominion clubs for their consideration during the months of Alarch, April aml.Alay, and that a vote on the matter be talwi at the end of May. Rotarian Nathan said that at- present the cost of running Rotary in New Zealand was borne largely by Chicago International Rotary and t was deemed time now that the New Zealand brunch stood on its own legs. At present the levy, which went to Chicago, was 50 cents, a member, but. under”the independent scheme for forming a New Zealand body with a district governor tho levy should be about 3 dollars a member. Rotarian Jacobs, referring to the birth of Rotary in New Zealand, said that- at the start Rotarian Geo. Fowlds. _of_ Auckland, was appointed special commissioner for New Zealand and pail bis own expenses during the organisation period. Latterly, it had been reilised that that would be a difficult lead for his successor to follow, and International Rotary had since met the expenses. Even if they adopted the scheme for a Dominion lelf-contained unit, it would be some time before they would be able to carry on without assistance from International Rotary and which would be willingly given. There was an objection to the New Zealand district scheme, for the district governor should attend two conferences a year in America. There was only one other district governor—in Mexico. Later, the movement, as a whole might extend much further than it. did now, in which case tho balance of Rotary power might not lay in America. If, then, the headquarters were made elsewhere, the New Zealand body, if it owed fealty to the American organisation, would not l>e able to sever that bond, lie did not think that a change of control woidd make much difference one way or tho other. There would be no change or further benefit by having the New Zealand body declared a districted area, beyond that it would operate under the aegis of a district governor. He did not know how long International Rotary would subsidise them, but they ought to pay mora than at present towards the Americans, who were so loyally supporting them now. Rotarian Slubbs said: “We should pay our own way and not expect the Yankees to pay for us. Wc should shoulder our own burden.’’ Replying to a question, Rotarian Jacobs said that, if they were a districted area, they would have to pay more for administrative expenses. Rotarian Spencer expressed surprise that the subscription of £4 4s per member a year did not cover the expenses of the New Zealand branch of the movement. Rotarian Nathan said that that would be dealt with at the next meeting. Rotarian Salmon said that .1 the districted scheme were approved, and if New Zealand paid more to Rotary International. it would be further assisting the extension of the movement to countries which did not vet have Rotary. It was decided to ask Rotarians Ilott and Fowlds to furnish their views ou the matter. DOMINION ROTARY. LUCKY THIRTEEN. There was no significants ,n the date and number announced the Wellington Rotarian secretary on Tuesday, amidst laughter, when reading tho monthly letter of Commissioner Fowlds. in which it stated that u new Rotary club the thirteenth in New Zealand, was opened at Oamaru on April Ist. It was also stated that now New Zealand had more than five clubs it was entitled to become n Rotary district, with power to send a delegate to the International Conference of Rotary, whose _ expenses would be borne by International Rotary. 'file commissioner also pointed out that the next Rotary Conference would take place at Dunedin while the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition was proceeding, ami it was hoped that there would bo a record attendance ut the conference. Jt is probable that a prominent Rotary International member will be passing through New Zealand early next year.