THE OVERSEAS CLUB

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10717, 11 September 1912, Page 5

THE OVERSEAS CLUB

OF HIS EXCELLENCY TH. GOVERNOR. OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE CLUB. Tho Masterton branch of the Overseas Club, which is one of many hundreds of branches now scattered uuvjugnout tfle British possessions, way oilicially opened) by His Excellency tho Governor (Lord Islington) yesterday. The Vice-Regal ,party arrived by the mail train from Wellington, and was met at the station by His Worship the Mayor (Mr J'. M. Coraadne), Captain. Waters (Dominion Organiser of the Overseas Club), Mr J. A. Capper (local organiser and secretary) and members of tho Club. AN ORGAN RECITAL. Tlie party was motored .to Knox Church, where an organ recital was given by Mr Pureoll Webb, which was anuch appreciated. Mr Webb rendero tho iollowing programme—Te Deum (Collin); Andantino (Lemare), Marcho luiiitairo '(Uuouod); Gondola Song (Purcel! Webb); , Pilgrim's Chorus {Wagner); and Grand Sonato No. 1 (Allegro Vivace—Mendelssohn). Miss Jtesie MacGregor also rendered Sullivan's "The Lost Chord," in .a charmaag manner. At the conclusion of the recital Hie Excellency the Governor cordially thanked Mr Purcell Webb and Miss MacGregor for tho splendid entertainment they liad proTided. i

THE LUNCHEON. At one o'clock His Excellency srcas entertained at luncheon at the Club ,l Ho'te] by members of the Overseas Club. ' '.There wa,s a very representative gathering, which was presided -over by His "Worship the Mayor. An. «xcellent colktioih was provided l»y Host Crass. , lAt the conclusion of the luncheon ilie toast erf "The King" was proposed by tlie Chairman, and enthusiastically Jionoured. The Chairman then proposed the toast of "Hig Excellency the Governor," whicih was also received with and the singing of "He's A Jolly Good. Fellow.".' In responding, Lord Islington, expressed appreciation at the cordiality of his reception and the commendably brief manner in which the toast had been proposed.' He was pleased t r partake of the hospitality of the members of the Overseas Club, and was glad of the opportunity of meeting so many representative citizens. It was a great pleasure to him to'again come to Masterton, and the pleasure wa« tbrougii big being present an the interests of a Club which was

going to play an important part 111 1 welding together the interests of the Empire. He was sure those prescn- 1 •would do their best to remove any prejudice that had l been created against the Club, and would do all they -could to assist in educating the peoplImperial questions. ( He again thanked those present for the cordiality with which the toast had been re-

ceived. ' 7Applause). ■ Mr A. W. Hogg proposed the teast lof "The Visitors," coupling with it the name of Captain Waters, the Dominion organiser. Captain Waters, who was cordially

received, said that nothing could' give !iim greater pleasure than, to he present at such a representative gather--1 ang. He hoped that the local branch of the Overseas Club would develop into an important Imperial institution, and that all present would become energetic members. \ THE OFFICIAL OPENING. At two o'clock there was a large and representative gathering in the Exchange Hall, when His Excellency officially declared the Club to be open. The Chair was occupied by Mr A. W. Hogg, who expressed pleasure at the presence of His Excellency, whom he recognised' as a man of great ability and intense patriotism. He hoped His Excellency would be able to tell them something which would interest them concerning the Overseas Club, .which he was satislied would be a useful, though non-political organisation. He had pleasure in calling upon Mr J. A. Capper, the local organiser, to give a short address. (Applause.)

Mr Capper stated that he was proud of the opportunity of being present at such a gathering. He assured His Excellency that the task he had undertaken of forming a Masteriton brand' «f the Club h:ul been a most agreeable on-. Ho had succeeded in, enrolling 2-1-0 members in the Walrarapa, including a number of Natives. (Applause). He was sorry that the flag taken Homo by Captain Brown (who was present) had not been available. He would have been delighted of the opportunity to have unfurled it in that room. He had received nothing but expressions rtf tho deepest- loyalty to the Crown, in every part of the district.

Captain Waters (the Dominion organiser) who was well received, said lie was glad to bear that tho branch was "being opened with so many members. It was'.not members, however, that they wanted altogether. They wanted workers, men who would take part in the fight. Captain Waters repudiated tTie suggestion that the club was part of an advertising scheme. Tie pointed out that the Duke of Connaught. Earl Grev, the Governors of the Commonwealth States, and their own Governor (Lord Islington) Mere enthusiastic workers in "the interwte of the Club. (Applause\ There were many useful things that the Club might do. One of these was to encounge the immigration of the right stamp of settler?. Thev wanted good men as colonists. The Auckland branch ha<l already made a move in the direction of encouraging tho immigration of good men, and 'assisting them iji every possible way. *Members di'l join the Club .fer what they could make out of it. It was an entirely MBgclfi?h institution.. Th?j desired

,to bring tlicwo who iwiro -under .the flag .into closer touch with ouo another, and to do all they could to promote tho best interests of the Empire, (Applause). They may .not nil meet again; but they could .all .become .missionaries of tho flag. Captain W.vi ors concluded by reading a message from the first President. of tho Club. His Excellency tho Governor, who was received with prolonged'applause, expressed hig gratification :at being present at such an important function. This was one ei' many similar gatherings that ho had attended i;i- the Dominion, and he hoped to be able to assist in other centres "before he left the Dominion- Ho believed that the orj ganisation with wliicih they were proud to be identified would extend from one ; end of tho Empire to the other, a;id 1 would play an important -part in | curing Imperial unity and solidarity. (Applause). As in all such institutions there were apprehensions con- | earning tho motives. He would to state, in all sincerity, that the Overseas Club was non-political and non-sectarian. (Applause). If it were otherwise lie could not he identified with it. The institution could not be construed into having a political complexion, even in the remotest degree. He pointed out that tho Gov-ernor-General of Canada was an ac- . tive member of tho Club, and his pro decessor was its President. The question of Imperial solidarity should be ; quite above Party politics. (Applause). His Excellency said tho question might j be asked why they were starting r.n- 1 other institution, when they had it 1 ' ; Victoria League and such bodies in [ existence. It was not, he said, a j superfluity to add another to tho list ( j of Imperial organisations. The OverI seas Club opened its door to all clar.smof the community. It was democratic in every sense of the term. Tho Club was founded on the belief that if Imperial unity was to be thoroughly achieved, it must be by the general acclamation of all sections of the co'r.munity. (Applause). They were part and parcel of an Empire which was peculiarly situated from a geographical point of view—an Empire upon which i the sun never set. Their proud position in having possessions in every part of the globe brought with it disabilities possessed by no other couptry. The United States, with its people, was bounded on the one frontier. Germany, too, was. similarly situated; These- nations had opportunities of bringing national ques- j tions before the whole of their people from day to day. In the British Empire it was different. Weeks elapsed before messages could be delivered to all parts of tho Empire. The difficulty was in bringing their people into speedy" communication on matters ol national interest. Jtlis Excellency contended that every means possible should be taken t ! o overcome this difficulty. It was one of tho main objects of tho .Overseas Club to keep all parts of tho Empire in close touch with each, other, and to supply reliable information concerning tho great Imperial questions of the day. An effort was now being made to establish an Imperial Library in connection with [ tho Club at Home. Similar librarie: would doubtless be established in the overseas possessions. Ho hoped that at Masterton and elsewhere meetings j would be held, particularly in the winter evenings, at which discussion? j would take place on question: \ affecting the Empire. They did not wish to make their meetings of a social or entertaining character. There were sufficient institutions already to eater in thn+ direction. What thoy desired was to see intelligent discussions on the great Imperial questions of tho day (applause). When the local executive was formed it would Jiavo full autonomy. It.could prepare its own rules. He felt sure that the future of the Masterton. branch could be well left to the Committee which would be appointed. In years to come tho Club would bo the. most educative institution in the Dominion. (Applause). Imperial questions should not bo regarded as secondary to internal questions. He said;, with all emphasis, that their future as a people depended as.< largely upon the performance of their Imper- I ial, obligations as upon those of an internal character. Tho two could not | be separated. Tho great Powers were , every day increasing their armaments | to an indescribable degree. Tho future of the British Empire depended upon the unity of its people. There was no greater security of peaco than the solidarity of tho British Empire. (Apphulso). In this connection lie emphasised the necessity of an Imperial defence. On this question the Overseas 'Club would keep its members fully informed. Then there were questions of trade, industry, and economy, all of which were indissolubiy interwoven. Tho future of the Km pire depended upon tho patriotic sentiment born of tradition. His Excellency concluded an admirable speech by urging tho claims of the Overseas Club as a practical means of emphasising their patriotism. Thoro was no sacrifice too great to secure for their children, and their children's children, the privilege,® of the British constitution and tho British flag. (Loud and prolonged applause). j Mr A. W. Hogg, in proposing the vote of thanks to His Excellency for his 'fine patriotic,/,-speech, urged his hearers to follow tho advice that had been given.

The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation, followed by three heirty cheers for Hi,g Excellency.