WORKERS AND THE UNIVERSITY

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 64, 16 March 1915, Page 3

WORKERS AND THE UNIVERSITY

TUTORIAL CLASSES ADVOCATED MR. ATKINSON'S "MISSIOJ?.The practical working cf the Workers* Educational Association in. its- relation to university training was the subject c>< an explanatory address to the member* of the Ancklartd University Coliegw Council yesterday afternoon by iir. Meredith Atkinson, director of tutoriaS classes at' the' Sydney"University, and Mr. D. Stewart, secretary of the Near South Wales Workers' Educational Association. Speaking of the lack of contact between the University Extension system and the workers, Mr. Atkinson said that tbe Association endeavoured to find out the exact educational needs of the workers, and organised'the demand for university education in * way that the university itself could not possibly do. The supreme activity of the Association was the tutorial class of 12 to 30 students taught by a university teacher in the subject selected. The earnestness and fine judgment developed by the students were splendid to see,, he said, and pointed out that every university in Great Britain undertook tutorial classes, while the name could now also be said of Australia. ' The classes, he remarked, were controlled by a joint committee from the council and the 'association. ' In each." of the four centres there were about 100' members ready. In New Zealand the great difficulty,~jhe thought, would be, in finding tutors with the necessary training in economics and 'history, and popular subjects. He would" suggest, the appointI ment of one man in each of'the four centres with English -'experience to train the oncoming graduates especially for this work. At the present time twelve men were being .trained in Australia for'the work. He' also suggested that the Senate wait'" on : Prima Minister, and ask the Government to find the deficiency in the cost not supplied hy the Senate. "" v - " "

In answer to questions, &rr. Atkinson, estimated the total cost -to -run. the scheme thoroughlyfhroughout New Zealand would be about £2,500 per annum. On the motion of'the : iHohi-'J.°'l_CTol9 the Council expressed its thanks to M£ Atkinson for his v interesting address, and assured him not only of its cordial sympathy with .the aims of the' Association, but also of its hearty co-operation ia furthering, as far as it possibly couhi the objects-of the Association. ' j '•' '