ROTARY’S PART

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1942, Page 4

ROTARY’S PART

PROMOTION OF WORLD PEACE STEPS TO UNDERSTANDING. ADDRESS BY ARCHDEACON RICH. The thirty-seventh anniversary of the establishment of Rotary was celebrated at today’s meeting of the Masterion Rotary Club, when the speaker was the Ven. Archdeacon E. J. Rich. Mr J. H. Cunningham, vice-presi-dent, occupied the chair. Mr R. Preston, a member of the Wellington Rotary Club, was a visitor. After brief reference to the foundation and early history of Rotary, Archdeacon Rich went on to speak of the effects of the present conditions and to the part Rotary should play in the future. Rotary, he said, rested on the need for fellowship and its objects were designed to promote it in everwidening circles, firstly in the community, secondly in the nations and thirdly, in the world. Nations were at different stages of development. Patriotism was the first step in the chain w’hich led to world understanding. The greatness of a nation, which was founded on patriotism, depended on the calibre of different people. National greatness was increased as it showed in the genius which knew no national boundaries. As the strength was, it was the justification of Rotary International. It aimed at so strengthening all that was best in every land that there would be created an outlook under which men and nations could live in harmony and peace. Mr F. Wells thanked the speaker for his interesting and informative address on Rotary ideals.