OVERSEAS CLUB

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8338, 25 January 1913, Page 6

OVERSEAS CLUB

ANNUAL CONFERENCE STPJINGTHENING THE BONDS OB EMPIRE. The first annual conference iM delegates from t)io various branches of the Overseas Club was held in No. 1 committee loom in the Town Ball yesterday, the Mayor presided, and there was a largo attendance. Toh Mayor, in opening tho conference said licit in nis official capacity ho desired to welcome tne delegates most heartily—not only as Mayor of tho city, but also on personal grounds, and on account of tho work they were undertaking, it also gave him the greatest pleasure to welcome Mr and Mass Wrench as representing tho Horne office of the club. Snrao of those present were reared in the Old Country and some reared hero, but wherever they wore bom it had been under one Hag that was expressive of liberty and justice. He thought that politicians at Home would do well to visit tho Dominion, and he heartily approved of such a course. Ho thought it was a great dereliction of duty on tho part of British statesmen that they did not visit the outlying portions of the Empire. He might be pardoned for saying sc, but there was only one political party in Great Britain that recognised its duty in this respect, and that was tho English Labour juirty. Several of its members had visited New Zealand, and ho proceeded to name 1 some of them. Those present desired to see the spirit of humanity introduced into tho Overseas Clubs right throughout the Empire. They had got beyond the stage of any portion of the Empire “cutting the painter." Tho period When British politicians and “presumed” statesmen (they had not a very large idea of statesmanship in those days) said lot the colonies look after themselves and go their own way was now past, and he hoped tho day was Doming when tho leading men at Homo and in Canada wonld visit New Zealand. The people of the British Empire were of many races that had been drawn together because of the free institutions that had operated under the British flag. Long may they exist and extend. They always desired to stand shoulder to shoulder m protecting, and they wore endeavouring in forming these organisations to put the flag at the masthead and to keep their people sound mentally, morally and physically. He had one or two suggestions to make regarding the work of tho conference, and as ho had had some experience in regard to organising they might prove acceptable. Regarding tho appointment of their officers he would ask them to put personal feeling to one side. Although it was difficult to do so at times, all feeling of personal favour should he put aside. They had to search out the most careful and suitable men for the leading positions, and then they wonld bo able to carry out their work ever so much more effectively than they otherwise might do. Having appointed those they were not to make the mistake of leaving matters to the few like some organisations he knew of. They should strongly recognise these two element® and all put their shoulders to tho wheel and do their very host. There would bo criticism levelled at them at times the same as at everything else. They would be cheered at times, but the cheers would have scarcely died away when they would have to dodge a “brickbat.” This criticism could be met simply by putting their case in a moderate but yet in a strong way and by putting the facts clearly and fully. The impression might be in the minds of many parties that the organisation of these clubs was of a jingoistic natute. This was not so.-Their object was primarily education, / He appreciated tho very kindly efforts of Miss Wrench, for she was making an appeal to tne womanhood and the motherhood of the country 'in the training of the young people and giving them to understand what wore the institutions of their country and tho heritage that had been handed down to them. It was the gravest mistake and error if in their desire for Imnorial unity they became more imitators of what existed in the older world. They should rather seek in a spirit of pride, and perhaps a little conceit with it, to develop the national character of their own people and endeavour to follow out that lino of life so that it might be an example in assisting others along. Ho hoped that from the conterenco a message would go forth to other parts of tho Empire that would benefit the Empire as a whole. Tho appointment of officers was then proceeded with, and they are as follows; Patron, Lord Liverpool; patroness, Lady Liverpool; president, Mr D. McLaren (Wellington); vice-presidents, Messrs A. Myers, M.P. (Auckland), and H. Holland iChristchurch); secretary, Mr K. Macfie (Dunedin); treasurer, Mr It, Laidlaw (Auckland); committee, Messrs A. Myers and H. Hunt (Auckland, A. B. Manning (Hamilton). Dr Warren (Marton), W. A. Veitch, M.P. (Wanganui), S. A. Mair (Hunterville), E. S. Wood (Palmerston North), L. Gordon (Feilding), J. Cross (Masterton), J. R. Kirk (Gisborne), H. F. Von Haast and Barclay (Wellington), Field (Nelson), Boswell (Westport), I. A. Bernstein and G. Hulmo (Christchurch), McAdam (Oamaru) J. F. M. Frazer and U. Fold (Dunedin), and J. E. Watson (Invercargill). Suggestions were made as to the matters -which the conference should deal with. Some discussion ensued, jmd it was decided to send the iollor.---.ng list of subjects to the various branches for their report: (1) The proper way to celebrate Empire Day and Trafalgar Day, especially in regard to school children; (2) the appointment of hums’ committees to collect clothing, etc., for the poor of London; (3) the wearing of badges by members; (4) the sending of congratulations to the King on his birthday; (5) the establishment o"f a welcome hail in connection with the Auckland Exhibition; (G) the question of endeavouring to bring about co-operation with kindred societies; (7) tho publication of a pamphlet 'n New Zealand; (8; the submission of council rules to branches for acceptance; (S) the matter of teachers emulating the Imperial ideas m regard to school children honouring the hay (10) the contribution of part of the annual subscription to branches to he reserved for council uso in New Zealand. The question of opening and maintaining rooms in London was considered, and it was resolved that the New Zealand council would view with pleasure the opening of such rooms. It was decided to instruct the executive to grant transfer cards from one club to anotnsr. it was also agreed that all branches bo recommended to purchase badges from their branch secretary. The conference recorded its hearty appreciation ot the work ut Loid INorthcote and his co-operators in initiating tho Overseas Club scheme. It was decided to invite contributions from branches, not exceeding a guinea, to defray the expenses of the council. At the suggestion of Rev. I. Bernstein it was agreal that Empire Day should be the recognised day for the celebrations and that they should hold Imperial concerts and school children should salute the flag. The next conference, it was decided, should be held at Wellington as early as possible after May 24th. A deputation waited on the conference relative to the Victoria League, and Mrs Lhatfield explained tho objects and work of the organisation. The conference expressed its hearty appreciation of the work carried on hy the league in strengthening the bonds of Empire and hoped it would long continue in existence. The chairman then presented, Mr and Miss Wrench with a photograph of the members of the Dunedin Club, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to them for their splendid work. The conference then terminated.