ESPERANTO CLUBS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 232, 26 June 1940, Page 3

ESPERANTO CLUBS

Wellington Activities

The part played by women in Esperanto clubs and other organizations was commented on by the president of the Wellington Esperanto Club, Mr. V. J. Leek, when welcoming Miss Shrimpton to the committee at a recent meeting. Mr. Leek added that she would be filling the place of a male committee member who was now serving with the armed forces. Miss Shrimpton was the third woman to offer her services. The time might not be far distant when they would see the presidential chair occupied by a woman. At a committee meeting the question of tuition was discussed, and it was decided to purchase for special classes some of Mr. Potts’ tutors. A debate for and against the use of cosmetics was opened by Mr. Leek and Mr. Vogt. Four other speakers also took part. Some small sketches of a humorous character and bearing on the discussion were given by Messrs. Jowers and Thomas. In his summing up, the judge, Mr. F. Miles, said that the debate had been very interesting, but one vital point had been overlooked by all speakers, and that was the number of persons employed in the manufacture of cosmetics. His decision was given for the motion. Miramar Club. ■Several Esperanto magazines received from foreign countries were produced by the president, Mr. Bertram Potts, J.P., at the weekly meeting recently of the Miramar Esperanto Society. It was reported that Esperanto was making progress in countries not involved in war and schools in many countries had introduced it into the curriculum. Classes were formed under the guidance of Mr. William Smith, secretary, Mr. Robert Saunders and the president, who explained points of grammar and encouraged students to express themselves in the language. At the conclusion of classes supper was served, and general conversation in Esperanto carried on. It was decided to introduce next week a programme of Esperanto items for the purpose of giving students an opportunity of hearing the spoken language and enjoying playlets and short talks.