SEAS OF ADVERSITY

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 3, 26 August 1931, Page 4

SEAS OF ADVERSITY

LESSONS OF DEPRESSION. MAYOR OF AUCKLAND TALKS TO ROTORUA ROTARIANS. Lessons learned from the Depresfion," wRh the text from ShakesSweet are the uses of advers'ty," vas the subjeet taken by Mr. George Hutchison in an address to the Rotorua Rotary Club at its lunchem on Monday Rotarian J. H. Buddie, president of the Club, was in the chair. "As we are passing through a pe- j riod of adversity — perhaps tbe most j icute period of the present world : depression — I will take Shakesoeaie's j vords as my text," said Mr. Hutchi- J son. - "Man has conquered most ; fchings with his inventive powers and mi'st now endeavour to find some , vay to conquer this depression. Out )f the world's present plight, although we should wprk to alleviate it, 'I fael . ' sure good will come.

^ ^ As an illustration of the fitness of text, the speaker referred to the "essons learned by England in the American War of Independence, rhie.h although it lost her an Empire, benefitted her in experience, until at he present time, there existed between the two countries nothing but a Feeling of goodwill.

Rationalism. "We should co-operate in some '' icheme to bring us through this depression," he continued, "and as a ead to this I am in favour of ration- I alisation. Rational:sation means co- ! operation to bring about a lower co'sf -)f 'production. It seems strange that production, throughout the world, is greater than ever be:ore, and is more than is required, yet people in some parts of the world are starving. This I put down to faulty , distribubon, a question that should be j nvestigated by international experts, i I also believe that we could find a j better medium of exchange than the i ?old standard. Something like this is needed to bring the world through x these hard times. Big firms and businesses realise the need for rational:sation, but. the smaller firms do not come into line and do their part. New Zealand, I should say, by pressnt nd cations, should be one of the first to recover." • One of the greatest obstacles was J the general attitude of the public and this was where Rotary could assist. The fraternlty of its members did away with snobbery which so often was evident in business and ordinary ">fe, and created a feeling of tolerance. The ideals of Rotary imbued a spirit of service, not for personal gain, but for the mere love of serving.

"If the world adopts the lessons of Rotary there will be a better understanding and methods will be evolved to the uitimate good of all," said Mr. Hutchison. "Rotary will play an ever greater part in world affairs. It has not had time yet, but will in time help to form new systems from the old and things will be done in a spirit of service. , "It is a lesson to be learned from the depression, that everything and everyone should be regarded in the Rotary spirit. It is a spirit which, should be earried into daily life, es-" pecially in dealings between nations." Rotarzan J. M. Roberts, through the president, conveyed the appreciation of the members to Mr. Hutchison.