REACHING THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 19856, 3 May 1928, Page 6

REACHING THE COUNTRY.

In one of his poems Mr Pember Reeves makes an English correspondent describe New Zealand as Isles nigh as empty as their deep, Where men but talk of gold and sheep, And think of sheep and gold. That has long ceased to be true of its towns. Is it possible that something like it may bo still true, to anything like a major extent, of the country? The Workers’ Educational Association is the only organised movement catering for adult education in this dominion. Naturally, with but limited funds and a limited number of tutors, its work is done much more effectively and generally in the towns than in the rural districts. To do more in the country has always been an object of the association; it has never been oblivious of the truth that “ a man’s reach should exceed his grasp,” forgetfulness of which could have but one end in a stagnation of the whole movement. But the task of reaching the remoter districts has been hampered by very practical difficulties. Now, in the spirited journal of the association, ‘ The New Zealand Highway,’ comes a clarion call from one of its workers, Professor H. Belshaw, of Auckland, to do more in this direction. And as he suggests that the way may be cleared for an extension of effort by a mere readjustment of funds, it may not be so impracticable as it has hitherto been I found, Professor Belshaw’s plea certainly is ' an arresting one. The main contrast which ho makes between town and country work can be accepted even if*

in his zeal, ho tends to undervalue what is being done already in the country. In the chief centres, and even in the moderately sized towns, he is convinced, the movement is justifying its existence. There are some “huge and enthusiastic classes,” along with summer schools “quite comparable in inspirational value with those of Oxford or Bangor,” but all these activities have so far attracted mainly the town dweller. He suggests the probability that, even in the smaller country towns, classes comprise comparatively few engaged in agricultural pursuits. What is needed is a definite rural programme and a policy of rural adult education. “Or are we so used to hearing the farmer talked of as the ‘ backbone of the country ’ that we have regarded him merely as a ‘ backbone,' and have overlooked the possibility that he may possess a mind that is capable of intellectual development and a soul that desires some avenues of cultural expression.” There should be no room at least for the last misconception. The Otago and Southland Centre of the association has been testing the field of the remoter country districts by means of correspondence classes. And it has been convinced of the fruitfulness of the field. “The results in a gratifying number of cases [so its latest annual report points out] have proved conclusively what has been long suspected, that, if we could only get into touch with them, we would find many New Zealanders living in the rural areas whose enthusiasm for education would put to shame many of the to-n dwellers, who believe themselves to bo more favourably situated.” Some wider means of community organisation, by which focal points would bo provided for its cultural and social life, is much needed by the country. Professor Belshaw believes that the W.E.A. is of all bodies the best fitted to provide it. The result would be that every existing organisation would be stimulated and have new life. He suggests that New Zealand, being mainly an agricultural and pastoral country, far too big a proportion of W.E.A. funds is spent in the four centres and towns of moderate size. But, in the redressing of that one-sided effort, country work should not be slavishly copied from that of the towns. The farmers’ special interests must be appealed to. He is not sure that the line of approach should not, in the first instance, be through subjects which are closely related to the economic and technical problems facing the farmer, and he asks: “Cannot these be made ‘cultural’ enough?” He thinks also that a special type of tutor, with special training, is required for country work. Professor Belshaw suggests that a conference of W.E.A. tutors, to be followed by a wider conference, should be held to explore the whole position, consider what are the precise needs of the country, and how they can be met. All things cannot bo done at once, but ho secs no reason why the country should not be catered for in a really effective manner within five years. There are difficulties in the W.E.A.’s work apart from the country. Some racy ‘ Pages from a Tutor’s Diary ’ in the journal we have already quoted leave that beyond doubt. To make one extract: “Off at 3.30 p.m. for M , a place off the main line. In the hotel, where usually there ore only racing mad, swearing locals, there is a commercial traveller. 1 answer questions, then: ‘ What’s the use of your education any way? There’s nothing wrong with the world —only agitators. . . . War is only human nature. . . . The poor are mental defectives. I read Dean Inge, and I believe they should be wiped out.’ ” A paragraph under the heading ‘Otago Centre’ reads; “By Labour militants the W.E.A. is often accused of preaching that the interests of worker and capitalist are one. They may be; officially the W.E.A. does not know, but it suggests the only way of finding out the methods of industrial peace is through the clash of differing ideas and the liberty of each individual to come to his own decision. The Wellington Arbitration Conference is oue expression of the W.E.A. method; folk dancing is another. Since Miss Fergusson at the Summer School charmed our toes that they would not keep still, we have been concentrating on folk dancing. Wherever W.E.A. people gather the chairs are removed, and heavy-footed butterflies flit around or bounding black nags show their paces. The argumentative still hold aloof lest they be, lured into ‘class collaboration.’ ” But the movement has mainly triumphed over these impediments and prejudices in the towns. When something like Professor Belshaw’s programme can be realised for its country activities, the greatest advance of its history will have been made by it.