ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

Evening Star, Issue 18716, 19 August 1924, Page 3

ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

PROFESSOR ADAMS’S ADDRESS. [Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 18. Following tho civic reception to Professor Adams, tho great educationist gave a very brief address on the Englishspeaking Union at a luncheon tendered to him at, the Y.M.C.A. by prominent educationists. In introducing Professor Adams, Mr T. Forsyth (chairman) said that it was rather to‘be regretted that the authorities had not asked their guest to report as to his observations during his brief visit to Now Zealand. Professor Adams io doubt would he able to give some very helpful advice, and indicate the direction in which improvements might be effected. Professor Adams said that the Englishspeaking Union was more popular in America than appeared to he the case m Australia and (New Zealand, where people were not nearly so enthusiastic about if. People in America appreciated more than we did the meaning of the language question. The fact that America spoke the same language as we did was of worldwide importance. Ho could understand tho American language, but he could _not speak it. (Laughter.) The American people realised that the language was so fundamental to their constitution that they were determined to keep it up. He hoped that tho English-spcaking_ Union was going to be more popular m New Zealand and Australia, as it was going to be of fundamental importance. An English writer had stated that the English language was radically different from the American languaget hut he had gone carefully into the question and could una no great differences. As to giving '’’to advice regarding' the educational si stem in New Zealand, he would prefer to war until he had been longer in the dominion.