ANNUAL SESSION BEGUN

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22687, 17 April 1939, Page 7

ANNUAL SESSION BEGUN

* WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION “SOMETHING TO OFFER THE COMMUNITY” Praise for its work in the past and good wishes for success in the future were extended by speakers at the opening of the twenty-fifth session of the Christchurch centre of the Workers’ Educational Association on Saturday evening. The president (Mr H. ,D. Acland) presided, and read greetings from the Minister for Education (the Hon. P. Fraser). “This institution has something to offer the community which, if the facilities are made use of. can have an important effect on the life of the country.” said the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane), who acknowledged that he personally owed a good deal to the work of the association. Both the Government and the Federation of Labour had made it plain that they were anxious for the facilities of the association to be made use of. The .value of the movement’s work was well known. But there had been some criticism of the association on the score of partisanship. To be a fully educative force in the community the movement, could not be partisan, and those who criticised the association from this standpoint did not know what the movement stood for or what education really meant. Mr Macfarlane said an excellent syllabus had been arranged for the session and no doubt the success of the past would be eclipsed this year. He extended best wishes to the association. Result of Co-operation The director (Dr. H. E. Field) expressed appreciation of the work done last year by all associated with the movement. The standard achieved by the association in Canterbury throughout the last 24 years was the result of co-operation among officers and members. Very generous fare was provided in the 1939 syllabus, an interesting feature being the sciences. It had to be recognised that the association ought to draw a larger section of the community into its membership, but it should not be overlooked that members, though small in _ numbers, acted as a leaven in the life of the community. The success of early members of the association in national and civic government was evidence of the effectiveness of its work. When looking for results, members should not expect to find immediate and direct results, said Dpt Field. Education gave them a background of sound knowledge to enable them to take an active part m the life of the country. “It is the ordinary men and women, working quietly and slowly, that effect the changes in the life of any community,” continued Dr. Field. “Members of the Workers’ Educational Association are not only benefiting themselves but the community at large. One defect of the democratic system is that the individual sometimes feels he does not count. The association gives a sense of participation. Study and self-improvement are an important form of public service.” . Several New Tutors Congratulating the association on the indications of a very successful session. Dr. J. Hight said there were a number of new tutors this year. He s

mentioned particularly Dr. K. R. Popper, whom he described as a man with a world-wide reputation. Members did not attend the classes for entertainment, said Dr. Hight. They should not attend merely to acquire knowledge, but should seek to cultivate the will to use that knowledge so that the particular section of society in which they moved might reap the benefit. He said he hoped that some original research work would be carried out by the advanced classes. Particularly would this be of value to those who were preparing historical and other reviews for the centennial.

Mr J. E. Strachan, of Rangiora, conveyed greetings from Dr. J. B. Condliffe, whom he had met while on an overseas tour.

Items were given by Mrs P. Z. Harris, Miss Nora Cairney (songs), and Mrs J. P. O’Sullivan (elocutionary items). Mr D. Sharpe was the accompanist.