ROTARY & WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1940, Page 9

ROTARY & WAR

PRINCIPLES OF MOVEMENT. BOARD DEFINES POSITION. A statement of general interest on “Rotary Amid World Conflict” has been issued by the Board of Rotary International. The statement, which has been circulated to members of the Masterton Rotary Club reads as follows: —

"For more than a score of years Rotary has encouraged and fostered the advancement of international understanding and goodwill among men as a basis for peace among nations. Yet during that period scarcely a year has passed without armed conflict in some part of the world. Today, warfare is being waged in many parts of the world, and of the large number of countries and geographical regions in which there are Rotary clubs, more than a third are engaged in armed hostilities. Because of these conditions the Board of Directors of Rotary International finds itself in the position of administering an organisation embracing some clubs located in countries which’are at war so far as some of the conflicts are concerned, yet neutral with regard to other conflicts, and emoracing other clubs in countries which maintain varying degrees of neutrality with regard to all the conflicts. “It is outside the competence of the Board of Rotary International to instruct Rotarians as to their duties as citizens of their respective countries. The board, however, points out that Rotary International, through Convention action, has stated that it expects its members, while co-operating toward a cordial international understanding, to be thoroughly loyal to their religious and moral ideals and to the higher interests of their particular country. In these catastrophic times, the board feels that it should re-em-phasise to Rotarians throughout the world, that Rotary is based on the ideal of service, and where freedom, justice, truth, sanctity of the pledged word, and respect for human rights do not exist, Rotary cannot live not its ideal prevail. These principles, which are indispensable to Rotary, are vital to the maintenance of international peace and order and to human progress. “The board therefore condemns all attacks upon these principles and calls upon each Rotarian to exert his influence and exercise his strength to protect’ them and to help hasten the day when war need no longer be used as an instrument for settling international disputes. To Rotarians and their families and to all others who are subject to the perils of war or who have suffered loss or bereavement, the board extends its deepest sympathy and expresses its sincere hope that the present period of trial and suffering may be brought to a speedy end.”