WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 18239, 2 April 1923, Page 3

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

UNIVERSITY TUTORIAL CLASSES. (Contributed by the Dunedin Branch of tho AA'orkers’ Krliichtional Association.) THE UNIVERSITY AND THE AA’.E.A. The Otago University Council has allocated a room within the precincts of the University buildings for the use of (bo AV.K.A. ’ Henceforth the department of tutorial studies, under tho directorship of Professor AA'oodthorpe, will have a definite status as one of the branches! of our seat of learning. This step has afforded great gratification to the officials of the W.E.A., and has set. a seal upon a connection that has existed from the beginning of the mo\ cinent. The AV.E.A. is indeed an offspring of tho University. Twenty years ago, in' England, tho relationship was begun by representatives of the great universities and the people ; and to-day it is co-c.xten-sivo throughout the length and breadth ot tho laud. In New Zealand the. university colleges have followed the lead of the Homo institutions, and have made provision, by the appointment of delegates and tho allocation of funds, for the extension to all men and women of the benefits of cultural education. The association of the University and tho AV.E.A. is significant, and is intended to bo so. In the Old Country the connection is sufficient to condemn the AV.K.A. in tho eyes of certain people ; but nevertheless the policy is maintained and fostered of set purpose. It constitutes a recognition of tho fact that the universities are essentially the homo of learning and the source of knowledge for the people. As institutions they are permanent and substantial, and more and more, they are pursuing the search for truth and extending their benefits to mankind. Bo far as concerns its altitude of opeu-minded-ncss and devotion to high ideals, the AV.E.A. desires to stand with tho University, and is proud to emulate it. In this country, as has been said, the relationship has from tho first been distinct and deliberate, and care has been taken by the leaders of the AA'.K.A. to proclaim the. fact. This policy lias one object in view—viz., to sot a standard of excellence and freedom in educational research and tuition. The AV.K.A. tutorial classes are “university tutorial classes” in the sense that the lecturers must endeavor to maintain tho University standard of knowledge and attitude of independence. Again, AV.E.A. tuition must be thorough, like that, of tho university ; and it must be unprejudiced, patient, scientific. In cementing its relationship with the University, therefore, the U.E.A, lias proclaimed its adherence to tho noblest in human learning. The AV.E.A. is charged with (Iff duty of carrying advanced education to adults. Its especial desire is to open the gates of knowledge to men and women who, in earlier years, have been denied the privilege of" higher education. Without, restraint, it invites all such to enter its tutorial clibses, and it oilers its services freely and gratuitously. This it has been enabled to do by reason of the grants of money made by the Government and the university colleges, and dispensed by the latter bodies. The University collaborates with the AA'.E.A. in regard to the recommendation of tutors and the establishment of classes. In Otago seven representatives of the University Council sit with a similar number of delegates from the AV.E.A., forming the. Tutorial Classes Committee. The University Council is itself, however, the final authority in regard to the appointment of tutors and the choice of subjects of study. At ail points, therefore, in spirit and in practice, tho University and the AA.E.A. are closely associated. Tho AA'.E.A. aims at establishing a people's university, and its object lias already been largely attained) Tlio association in Otago is exceedingly happy in enjoying the sympathy and support of the Chancellor and the University Council. Wisely controlled, there is no reason to doubt that the minor institution will in days to come amply fulfil tho expectations of its friends and well-wishers. While the AA'.K.A. cannot- yet claim to have achieved its ideals, it docs claim to bring within tho reach of tho people a uniqiio opportunity for the acquisition of knowledge that, will enrich social, political, and economic, life, and that will equip a- democratic people for the performance of its great function's. * * * * TESTIMONIALS. Sir Oliver bodge; “The AA'.E.A. is a waking up of the right kind. It represents a determination to put a stop to ignorance and prejudice, to learn about tilings before acting, and to cultivate wisdom in the light of knowledge.” Bishop of Oxford (Dr (diaries Gore) : “The chief need of the Labor movement is knowledge within it? ranks. However strong it may become in voting power, ignorance will always be trodden down under the foot of knowledge. The AV.E.A. ■is laboring gallantly to supply this need gallantly and successfully, and is extending its operations to country districts,” Mr Ramsay MacDonald, .AM’.; “The success of democracy depends upon the richness of the minds of the common folk, the accuracy of their judgments, and the quality of tLoir tastes; and this can be gained only by such education as it is the object of the AA'.E.A. In provide.” English Board of Education : “tf it comes to be the custom of those who take an interest in public affairs to prepare themselves by attending the AV.E.A. tutorial classes, the results will he of very great importance.” * * * # ARRANGEMENTS FOB 1023. The Otago Tutorial Classes Committee, has authorised the following classes: - Economics Research Society, Otago University, Thursdays.—Lecturer, Professor AA'oodthorpe; subject, ‘lnternational Relations.’ Literature, Otago University, Tuesdays. —Lecturer, Miss M. If. M. King, M.A. Social Psychology, Otago University, AA'ednesdays.—Lecturer, Rev. 1,. G. AVhitchoad, M.A. Returned soldiers’ class, club rooms, Moray place, AA'ednesdays. —Lecturer, Mr John Johnson, M.A. ; subject, ‘ Social and Economic Problems.’ A'.AA'.C.A. class, rooms, Moray place, Friday afternoons. Lecturer, Mr Johnson; subject, ‘Social Psychology.’ Composition class, Y.M.C.A., alternate Saturdays.—Lecturer, Mr Johnson. Roslyn, Baptist, Schoolroom, Alondays.— Lecturer, Mr Johnson; subject, ‘Social and Industrial Psychology.’ North Dunedin, St. Stephen’s Hall. Thursdays.—Lecturer, Air Johnson; subject, ‘The Development of Character.’ Anderson Bay. Wednesdays. Lecturer to he appointed ; subject, history. Railway Hass, Sunday mornings.—Lecturer, Mr Geo. Al'Crackrn ; subject, ‘History of New Zealand.’ Green Island, Thursdays.—Lecturer, Air APCracknn; subject, ‘Society and Its Problems.’ AT ilto n, Alondays. ■ — Lecturer, Air APCracken; subject, sociology. Balclutlia, Tuesdays. -Lecturer, Air M‘Cracken ; subject, ‘ Principles of Economics.’ Oamaru.-—Lecturer. Air Johnson: subject, ‘Social Problems of the Day.’ Oamaru. Lecturer, Mr F. Milner, M.A. ; subject, litera-ture. Tho committee hopes lo be able to carry on the Kaitangata class, although there are difficulties lo overcome in respect to a tutor and .-finance. Tim position of some other classes that met last year is still under consideration. If it can be managed all will go on Ibis year. Claims were put forward for the establishment of classes in ‘ The Appreciation of Alusic’ and other subjects. In Southland classes will be continued in Invercargill and in various country towns. 1 All classes and lectures are open to workers in banks, offices, factories, shops, and elsewhere, and there is no fee for tuition. “I will study and learn, so that if some day my opportunity comes I will ’be prepared,”—Abraham Lincoln,

PERSONAL NOTES. The Rev. F. E. Foote, of Mosgiel, who has removed to the north, was a strong supporter of the Mosgiel class. Mr I*onto had a great store of experience, and knowledge, and Ids gift of ready speech enabled him to speak interestingly upon almost any subject. Last year, when the class was studying the. history of New Zealand, Mr Foote's intimate acquaintance with the country and tin; Maoris was of the greatest value in the discussions. Green Island class will require to find a new secretary to take the place of Mr J. M‘K. Mlilor, now of Gore. In this case, Otago's loss is Southland's gain. When the opportunity arrives for founding a branch of the W. K.A. in Gore the presence of Mr Miller will be a guarantee of success. Milton, too, has just lost its class see-retary--Mr H. Johnstone —who has settled in Auckland. Mr Johnstone was one of the silent members, hut was absolutely dependable. Mr 11. Kendall, secretary of the railway class, has for some time been in Central Otago. He was a careful official, and the class roll book is an artistic piece of work. Mr Kendall is hopeful of returning to the class by ana by. Air J. W. Fenton, secretary of the Kaitangata class, expresses a strong desire that the class may continue. Writing to the Tutorial Committee, Mr Fenton voice:, the members’ appreciation of the late tutor. Rev. C. R. Jordan, ALA. Mr Jordan has removed to Port Chalmers. As above noted, there are difficulties in the way of sending a lecturer from Dunedin; but if there were a score or two of men like Mr Fenton in Kaitangata the difficulties , would soon vanish. * * * * CANTERBURY ITEMS. Canterbury lias started the PJ23 season willi twenty-one classes, and efforts are being made to establish brandies at Brignton and Islington. Among the subjects to bo dealt with are the following; — ' Public Speaking,’ ‘ Elementary Botany,’ ‘ Social Psychology,’ ' Baking and Currency,’ ‘ Drama and Literature,’ ‘ Alusic, ‘ Political Science,’ ‘ Biological Problems, and ’ Economics. The tutors are Air J. Higg, Air E. C. Fowcraker, M.A., Professor .J, B. Conditio, Professor J. Shelley, Mr A. H. Tucker, ALA., Mr J. E. Bhroeder, ALA., Aliss Millicent Jennings, Mr G. E. Archer, ALA. a»d the Rev. J. K. Archer. Speaking at the official opening of the W.E.A. session, Air H. D. Aclaad (president of the Dominion Council) said that if democracy was to succeed the people must he properly educated. He traced Hie progress of the educational institutions in New Zealand, and said that to-day the poor man’s son could get a hettei secondary education than the rich man ;i son could get thirty years ago. In the last ten years another step forward had been taken—the establishment ol the W.E.A., which was designed to provide a secondary education for adults. There was one danger with regard to Government grants to universities, and that was that the Government was liable to dictate the nature of the education to be given at these institutions. As far as the W.E.A. was concerned they absolutely refused to be tied to any system that could make the association one for propaganda purposes. The object of the association was to give knowledge and to help people to find the truth. All that the association wanted was to he free to study the truth. Other speakers were Messrs A. H. ’l'ocker, E. J. Howard, ALP., and Goo. Alanning.