ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23495, 25 November 1941, Page 8

ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD

, • , WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION The annual conference of the Workers’ Educational Association was held last Saturday. Delegates from the four university districts were welcomed to Christchurch by the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews). Mr Andrews referred to the great need that previously existed for a system of post-primary education suitable for men and women, and to the efforts of the Workers’ Educational Association to meet that position. Mr.G. Manning thanked the Mayor on behalf of the Christchurch Workers’ Educational Association and referred to the support given the association by the City Council. The president of the conference (Mr H. D. Acland) stated that during the present international conflict a great responsibility rested on all the citizens in the .free or democratic countries. They should understand the cause for which their countries were fighting, or, in other words, they should understand the value and functions of the institutions that had been evolved to guarantee the conditions of the free expression of the individual personality. The Workers’ Educational Association must not let up in its task of providing that education. Discussion at the conference was mainly concerned with relations between the Workers’ Educational Association and the Adult Education Council, and also with the extension of the Workers’ Educational Association work in the camps and garrisons of the armed forces. It was decided to inquire into the development of adult education in the armed forces of Britain,, South Africa. Canada, and Australia. The experiments already undertaken in the prisons are to be discussed with the Department of Justice with a view to the expansion of this type of work. The officers elected were:—President, Mr H. D. Acland (Christchurch); vicepresident. Mr F. Cornwall (Wellington); treasurer. Mr A. MacAlpin; secretary. Mr J. O. Shearer.