ADULT EDUCATION ABROAD

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 191, 11 May 1938, Page 6

ADULT EDUCATION ABROAD

Address To Teachers

GERMANY, RUSSIA AND AMERICA An address.on “Adult Educational Activities Abroad” was given to delegates at the annual conference of the New Zealand Technical School Teachers’ Association at Wellington yesterday by Mr. W. L. S. Britton, of the staff of the Wellington Technical College, who has just returned from a visit to Great Britain, Europe, and America. Mr. Britton said he found a new’ world in Europe. lie made it a practice to call in at as many schools as he could and had been made welcome by masters in Europe and America. In Germany, however, he had to obtain permission to enter the schools. German Labour Camps.

He found that the German labour camps were comparable to the relief camps which had been established in New Zealand during the depression. At Dusseldorf he had visited labour camps, and had found them excellent institutions. They were splendid places in which young men could spend six months profitably. In all, he visited six camps. Every man in camp took his turn at the different duties, such as sentry work. The men were paid about 24d. a day, and everything was supplied, even down to underclothing and toothbrushes. The object was to break down class distinctions. In Germany many men were Prussians first and Germans secondly, but the aim of the Government -was to make them all good Germans. The Germans had a great aversion to anything Russian and were fully convinced that the people of that country were miserable and oppressed. After visiting Russia, however, Mr. Britton said he had not found the people of Russia unduly unhappy. An interesting thing about the Germans was the resolute way in which they were undertaking physical instruction. Old men were to be seen strenuously indulging in physical exercises, despite what width of girth they might have acquired. The Hitler Youth were an army of lads up to 19 years of age. They were fit and healthy and a well-disciplined body. The girls in Germany also went in zealously for physical exercises. The Hitler Youth movement practically conducted itself and members sang lustily as they marched about the country. Living was cheap in Germany; one could get a good meal for about 4d. The boys and girls in Germany were engaged in political propaganda almost constantly. Conditions in Russia. Touching upon hi,? visit to Russia, Mr. Britton said that he found the people of that country very ready to debate the advantages of Communism. Propoganda magazines were plentiful and statistics were freely displayed showing what bad been accomplished by the Soviet. The best things in Russia were the parks, where every hobby could be indulged in. In these were to be found many orators, who were paid by the Government as instructors in politics. Community singing was popular and games were freely played. For 3d. one could make a descent from a tower in a parachute. Dancing was a popular relaxation, particularly folk-dancing. He found the political pavilion in Moscow most interesting. In this were displayed illustrations of conditions in the - various countries, these being much in favour of Soviet rule. American Camps. Mr. Britton said he had also found camps in America. In the United States the camps were conducted by the military, and in these instruction was given by officers of the agricultural department in farming methods. Men were taught to handle machinery. Work in the camps was voluntary and, therefore, there was nothing like the smartness to be seen in the camps in Germany. Instruction was given in such subjects as soil conservation, afforestation, carpentry, and even journalism. “After having had a glimpse at the New World, I think that we democracies have a case to answer,” concluded Mr. Britton. “What are we going to do about it?” , A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Britton by acclamation.