WORKERS' EDUCATION

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 289, 5 December 1936, Page 7

WORKERS' EDUCATION

GREATER INTEREST SHOWN. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. \ All increase of over 200 in enrolments for classes and lectures was shown in the report presented at the annual meeting of the Workers' Educational Association. The president, Mr. J. S. Stewart, presided. The enrolments totalled 1439, as against 1224 in 1935. The report stated that this was due partly to an increased interest in education 011 tlie part of trade unionists, and partly to the improvement in the finances, of the assocition, which had made possible three more full-length courses. Experiments in new courses and new methods of treatment had proved most successful, especially where it had been possible to include a certain amount of practical work. That applied particularly to classes in art, approach to economics, trade unionism, dramatic practice, English and physical education. Great regret was expressed that Professor Sewell would be unable to continue during 193" his class 011 literature. The annual dramatic- production, including "Waiting For Lefty," by Clifford Odets, had run for seven nights to full houses, attracting a large number of people who had not previously visited the W.E.A. The enthusiasm aroused had been such as to result in the creation of an independent organisation, the People's Theatre. The increased interest shown by the trade unions was reflected in increased participation in the control and activities of the W.E.A. One organisation had decided to pay half the fees of any member joining the W.E.A., and this had resulted in an immediate response. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. J. S. Stewart; vice-presidents, the Rev. W. Jellie and Professor W. A. Sewell; secretary, the Hon. Bernard Martin, M.L.C.; treasurer (deferred); executive, Messrs. E. Blair, F. P. Cunnold. A. S. M. Hely and F. H. Leonard; tutorial classes committee, Messrs. W. T. G. Airey, Blair. Cunnold, Martin and Stewart; auditor, Mr. T. C. Ward.