ESPERANTO CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1938, Page 6

ESPERANTO CLUB

PRESENTATION TO RETIRING SECRETARY.

The weekly meeting of the Masterton Esperanto Club was held last evening, Mr A. Dewar, D.8.E.A., presiding over a satisfactory attendance. Owing to the early departure abroad of the club secretary, Mr H. F. Franks, D.8.E.A., a special business meeting was conducted to receive his resignation and to review the club’s general position and activities. At the conclusion of the session Mr Dewar, on behalf of club members, presented Mr Franks with a badge of the International Esperanto League—the worldwide organisation of Esperantists —as a token of high esteem and goodwill. The president referred to the extremely useful service, unstinted help and generous assistance Mr Franks had given the Esperanto movement and the club in Masterton. in the capacity of secretary and tutor over a long period. He wished Mr Franks every success in the future.

As secretary of the New Zealand Esperanto Association, Mr W. H. King joined the club in its expression of good wishes to Mr Franks, who, he said, had proved himself to be a very energetic and active member of the Dominion organisation, and on that account would be missed considerably from the ranks of New Zealand Esperantists and more especially from a large circle of friends. He would have pleasure in carrying out the wishes of the club to furnish Mr Franks with a letter of introduction to kindred organisations and eminent Esperantists overseas.

Replying, Mr Franks thanked the president for his generous remarks and for the club's kind expression of goodwill, also the N.E.E.A. for its tribute. He fully understood the service which the international badge guaranteed him wherever he might travel and he was convinced he would meet numerous Esperantists while abroad. For his efforts in the interests of Esperanto he had been amply repaid by the many friendships cemented during his association with the movement and for that reason alone he was glad he had acquired Esperanto. He wished the club well and hoped on his return to find it very strongly established.