WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 17959, 4 May 1922, Page 2

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

UNIVERSITY TUTORIAL CLASSES. [Contributed hv the Dunedin Branch of the W.E.A.] MR. PARR VISITS THE W.E.A. During his recent visit to Christchurch, Iho Minister of Education (Hon. C. J. Parr) was invited to the W.E.A. room to see tho nature of the work being done. The Minister showed great interest in the programme and general conduct of the movement, and remarked that the various courses showed that the public, idea that the association practically confined itself to industrial psychology and economics was quite a wrong one. All he could say was that lie wished it were “more wrong,” Instruction in tho “ three B's” was what, was needed for those who had never had a. chance. Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., said that the W.E.A. did not touch that class of work which was done by the Technical College, He also said that the students were, essentially students and not critics, while the mixed nature of the classes made it impossible for them to bo used for propaganda, purposes, which charge was olten laid against the association. The subjects of the popular lectures the Minister pronounced to be splendid, and he expressed a. desire to attend one of tho classes, when opportunity offered, to see their practical working. He also icrnarked that he would bo very pleased to give an address on the occasion of some future visit. Ho had, ho said, always been a, believer in the continuation of adult education, and he thought that it was eminently tho function of the universities to get in touch willi and provide material, for the W.E.A. - THE W.E.A. A SAFETY VALVE. Speaking at Auckland, Dr L. A. MTI- - (vice-president of the W.E.A.) said that the people of some countries wore living on the edge of a social volcano, and it was such institutions as the W.E.A. that acted as safety valves, through which tho ferment could he profitably directed. He, said, further, that the existing educational system did not even teach that there was a social problem, let alone attempt to solve it, and it did not teach people how to wisely spend their leisure. There were .splendid picture theatres, bars, and racecourse* : hut the Government was spending only Ijd per head of population on the education of adults over twenty years of age. But there was a powerful influence at work tending to the development of thought, along one line, concluded Dr MThvraith. The "W.E.A. was so constituted that it could educate the people to take, the facts as they were and draw conclusions from them, no matter what force was at work controlling the thought of the people. » •» * * INVERCARGILL BRANCH. There are six tutorial classes at work in Southland this year. Miss A. Drcnnnn is carrying on the, literature class in succession to Miss King; Miss C. uf’Leod and Mr D. M. Rae are proceeding with the subjects of psychology and history respectively; and Mr T. L. James, 8.C0m., A.1.A., N.Z., has been appointed tutor in economics. The branch secretary, Mr B. G. August, has organised classes at Winton and tho Bluff, ami is himself acting as tutor in these towns, Ins subject being ‘ Literature.’ Dr August is also endeavoring to form a class at Woodlands. s » » * * MILTON AND BALCLUTHA. The tutorial classes at Milton and Balclutha have entered upon their winter’s studies, and both give promise of a successful session. Milton has an enrolment, of over forty, ami on Monday evening last there was an attendance of thirty-five. Great difficulty has been experienced in securing a suitable loom. At present the hooking office of the Town Hall is being utilised, and the building, although somewhat overcrowded, is fairly' satisfactory. The mayor is chairman to the class, and the local clergy, school teachers, tradespeople, and general workers arc well represented in the membership. There is genuine, enthusiasm among tho Milton people respecting the class, and this fact, together willi 'their willing participation in the discussions and written woik, is very pleasing and encouraging to (lie tutor. The subject is “The Principles of Economics.’ BahTutha is proving something of a problem from the W.E.A. point of view, and yet in some respects the class in that town is very satisfactory indeed. The en. rolments number about twenty, find the attendance so far has averaged fifteen. There are l*»dge, union, and church meetings to be contended with, and apparently no night in the. week is suitable for all who desire to attend the W.E.A. Cn the other hand* the personnel of the class is just what it .should be. The mayor (Mr IT. Bimson) is chairman, and a, regular atirndor. There are throe ladies, (ho two local pressmen, a fair nuntcr of men from the “freezer,” -1111! representatives of (ho business community. Again, tlie discussions are brisk and unhesitating —so brisk, indeed, that this week’s debate did not close, until 10.20 p in. Another heartening feature, is the interest displayed in the library box, every member of the class, apparently, going off with a book to read. By the way, one of the laboring men present averred that; he reads the Bible through three tinl-s each year, and that he habitually spends about five hours daily in general reading. It is probable that when the Bale-hit ha people come to understand the association’s aims and objects more clearly there vdll’ be a larger attendance. In the meantime, however, tho class is proving to_ be a rendezvous for some inquiring spirits. .jt SATURDAY EVENING LECTURES. The inaugural lecture of the Saturday evening scries attracted an audience largo enough'’ to crowd' the upper Oliver Fail, and tho lecture was worthy of the audience. The next lecture is by Professor Adams, and his subject has a dose affinity with that of Miss King (who preceded him) and of Mr Skinner (who succeeds him). “Tho common thread running through our lectures,” writes Professor Adams, “ will be tho idea that we aro the heirs of all the ages—or Pascal’s notion of regarding the whole scries of human generations throughout tho course of the ages as one-man ever living and over learning. What a, store of wisdom must be ours!” Professor Adams speaks of using a lantern to illustrate, his subject, and this should be an added attraction. It is a topic of immense possibilities—- ‘ Ancient. 1 Athens and Her Significance for Us.’