ROTARY’S FUNCTIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 7, 6 December 1926, Page 8

ROTARY’S FUNCTIONS.

“PROMOTION OF ACQUAINTANCE.”

ADDRESS BY ROTARIAN MACKIE.

“The Promotion of Acquaintance Through Rotary” was the title of an address delivered at to-day’s luncheon of the Rotary Club by Eotarian N. H. Mackie. Rotarian B. J. Jacobs presided. The speaker at tho outset proclaimed his intention of venturing beyond the coufines of the title of his address into the realm of friendship, for, he said, acquaintance was but the first step towards friendship—the ultimate goal. The only road by which Rotary’s objeotivo could be reached walk, lie stated, through the cultivation of friendship, for so long as political and industrial interests remained as at present, so long would wars and upheavals disturb the world. He was optimistic enough to .think, however, that, by the cultivation of friendship, they could go a little way along the road of world friendship. Acquaintanceship he likened to the pioneer’s six foot track and friendship to the broad highway leading from it to the ultimate goal.

From Shakespeare he quoted: “If it be a sin to covet friendship then I am the most covetous soul alive.” Only by. constant intercourse, he believed, could one achieve that broadmindedness and tolerance essential to true friendship. Rotarian Mackie deprecated snobbishness and touched upon the effect of the Great War in breaking down class barriers and levelling up men. There was an uncanny fascination in vice—the press emphasised the vices rather than the virtues —not that the press desired this of itself, but that the public demanded it, and in these days one gave the public what it wanted. Most men had some secret sins and if they had regard to these before Criticising their fellows, one step would have been taken along tho highway of friendliness and fellowship. Rotary, he was confident, would make more progress through unofficial than through official channels. Its ambassadors to other clubs should be of the best and carefully chosen; that would help a great deal towards tho consummation of the ideal of Rotary International.

The speaker dealt' briefly with the “family” spirit of Rotary. Its members, he said, were friends before they met and that tended to raise the moral standards in business. Rotarian Mackie rounded off. his address in happy vein, urging upon his fellowRotarians the cultivation of cheery friendliness in their lives.

When the meeting, as is usual at the termination of an address, was thrown open for general discussion, Rotarian W. T. Penny furnished the first of several apt quotations by Rotarians. He reminded the gathering of a wellknown sentiment in the Latin: Friendship is the gift of God. •

Oil the motion of Rotarian C. T. Salmon the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks.