ADULT EDUCATION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3249, 7 April 1943, Page 7

ADULT EDUCATION

GROUP FORMED IN WHITIANGA

LECTURE BY MR E. A. OLSSEN

Mr E. A. Olssen, 8.A., tutor organiser* of adult education, Auckland, gave a lecture in Whitianga, Mercury Bay, on Tuesday, March 30; when several interested students of progressive thought, joined together in the friendly atmosphere of Mrs ■Heald’s residence, for the purpose of learning how to form an adult education group in the district of Whitianga, and also tp hear Mr Olssen speak on the subject, “Conditions of Peace.” Mr S. Tucker introduced Mr Olssen to the gathering and expressed pleasure at having the opportunity of hearing lecutres of this type. The speaker then carried on with his subject, “Conditions of Peace,” and stressed two points. First, if any peaceful arrangement could be brought about foi* the future, there was an urgent need now to organise a Socialist programme to be applied throughout Europe and the democracies. Secondly, the application of a Socialist programme throughout Europe was only possible if the peoples and Governments of Britain, America and Russia came to an agreement and discussed this Socialist programme prior to the ending of this present world upheaval. To wait until war ended in order to come to some arrangement whereby tranquility could be established, would be hopeless. In this connection, the speaker drew the attention of the audience to a recent London Times cable which stated that “Another war is inevitable unless Great Britain, Russia and America can come to some prompt agreement as to the proper course of post war European reconstruction.”

At the conclusion of the subject, open discussion followed and Mr Olssen answered questions. Discussion between the individuals' proved enlightening and spontaneous. It was generally agreed and carried that an adult education group be formed in Whitianga for the purpose of following through some of the many courses available under the adult education . system, Auckland. Afi adult education group was actually’formed at the end of . the meeting and was arranged for Tuesday, April 13, the leader to .be Mr S. Tucker, and secretary Mrs L. V. Smith. The course which was selected was “Democracy” and would be covered in six weekly group’ meetings. ! Mr Tucker then expressed thanks to Mr Olssen for coming to Mercury Bay, and also to Mrs Heald, who had permitted the use of her home as a 1 meeting place.