W.E.A. CAMP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 10

W.E.A. CAMP.

MENTAL REFRESHER.

EDUCATION AT HUNUA,

ASPECTS OE NATIONALITY. Royal weather has favoured the Workers' Educational Association's camp at Hunua, which is now in full swing. The surroundings are delightful—a natural amphitheatre overlooking a stream and surrounded by wooded hills. The camp is under the management of Mr. 11. R. Rodwcll and Mr. N. M. Richmond, director of the association.

The main subject of the course is "Nationality," this being dealt with by Professor U. G. Cooper in relation to the ages of ancient Greece and Rome and by Professor Von Zedlitz in its development during the Middle Ages. The latter, in an introductory lecture, explained the difficulty of supplying a satisfactory definition of nationality and described the confusion and hardship which arise from diverse marriage laws ill different nations. "Widely varying views on moral questions were held in different European countries, so that laws, being a product of moral concepts, varied correspondingly. The lecturer drew interesting and "amusing comparisons between the Englishman's outlook on life and that of the Frenchman. Each looked askance at the other in this respect. The French regarded enjoyment as one of the chief ends in life, while the Englishman in general looked upon prosperity and advancement as the highest good. The ideal condition would be"when a man found his enjoyment in his work.

At the end oJ the lecture Mrs. Edmonds "•avc a detailed account of the structure of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and illustrated her remarks by gramophone records of the entire work. The evening was closed by a dance in the assembly hall, which was much enjoyed.

The well-known Hunua Falls is only a few hundred yards from the camp and at the bottom of it is a swimming pool, which is much used. Complete organisation makes all the camp functions pass off smoothly and pleasantly. There is informality in dress and uneonventionality in intercourse and all members rapidly get to know each other. ■By way of introduction small labels containing the names of the members arc pinned on their clothing. The white tents are pitched in orderly groups and present a very pleasing scene, especially when lit up at night.

On passing through the rows one hears animated discussion going on among its occupants. It is at a late hour that the talk dies down and then the cry of the morepork is heard in the adjoining bush. Next comes silence.