BAN ON ROTARY

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20282, 26 August 1937, Page 9

BAN ON ROTARY

NAZIS’ DRASTIC ACT A BURDEN TO MEMBERB MYSTIFICATION IN BRITAIN United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, August 25 The Nazis’ ban on Rotary has mystified British Rotarians, especially as the relationship between British and German Rotarians has been particularly close. The newspaper Volkischer Beobaohter, the official Nazi organ, in defending the ban, says: “ Rotarianlsm is too international and not sufficiently anti-Semitic. Therefore it is a burden to Nazi members, who should devote their services exclusively to the nation.” Object four pf (Rotary is as follows:—“The’ advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of "business and professional men united In the ideal of service.”

HITLER AND ROTARY ATTITUDE IN THE PAST PRINCIPLES OF MOVEMENT (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Referring to a new decree in Germany that Nazis must not be Rotarians, Mr F. Hall-Jones, of Invercargill, New Zealand District Governor of Rotary, stated: “ Herr Hitler, a few years ago, was inclined to discourage the Rotary movement altogether, but the pa-st president, Mr John Nelson, saw him personally and was able to convince him of the disadvantage of flying lu the face of public opinion. 44 At present there are 40 Rotary Clubs in Germany—a higher number than In any other European country exoept France, where there are 70 dubs—and Rotary is established In every European country save Russia, Albania and Turkey. 44 When the president, Mr Will Manler, of Nashville, Tennessee, made a tour of Europe last year, he was received by the ruler of each country except Germany. Herr Hitler's attitude was neutral, but not encouraging. 44 It is always understood that every Rotarian is instructed to be loyal to his own country. The principles of Rotary teach the German to be a better German and the Frenchman to be a better Frenchman, and so on. In Rotary nothing is secret, nothing is political, and it is entirely devoid of anything in the way of sectarianism.”