WORKERS' EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17776, 9 May 1921, Page 6

WORKERS' EDUCATION.

AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION.

CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS.

NEED OF "PUBLIC SUPPORT

The Workers Educational Association opened its 1921 season with a social evening at the Tiffin restaurant on Saturday. The president, the Rev. A. B. Chappell, presided over a good attendance of students and prominent citizens interested in the movement.

In welcoming the gathering, the president referred to the objects of the association, which was intended to extend the cultural side of university instruction beyond the bounds of university classrooms. The tutors were principally university men, and one of the most valuable features of the association's classes was the " discussion hoar," in which students and tutors indulged in mutual interchange of thought of the most searching and thoroughgoing type. While the students attending the classes were mainly manual workers, it was the association's endeavour to interest the brain-worker as well. A splendid feeljng of fellowship existed among the students, reflecting the association's belief that along strictly co-opera-tive lines would be found the solution of many of the most acute world problems. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds said the movement had potentialities of a very high order. It was a pity that more of the commercial men didjjot-ettend the classes, as this would give them a clearer idea of the differences which the two classes in society have to meet. The speaker deplored the fact that while the Auckland branch included a larger number of students and had more classes than any other centre in New Zealand it received less monetary assistance. The Wellington City Council and Harbour Board each donated £100 a year to the local branch, whereas the Auckland City Council contributed only £50, and the Harbour Board nothing. Dr. J. W. MeHraith.. inspector of schools, spoke of the association's success in country districts, especially at Whangarei. .He believed that the Government should expend at least £250,000 a year on workers' education. It was only after the age of 20 that men began to think for themselves. There was an urgent necessity -for a far-flung system of Workers' Educational Associations, so that every worker could calmly estimate and criticise every movement for social benefit. Mr. T. Bloodworth said that the association's work had a wonderful steadying influence on the Labour movement, but its influence would be greater if the Government assisted. Its special value was in training men to speak and express their views on important social questions. Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., as president of the Young Citizens' League, spoke of the necessity for moral and character education as apart from instruction Telating to material means of progress. He criticised the importance attributed by the associatiofl to such subjects as economics, and added that instead of looking to the good that would accrue from adult education he was concentrating on the character education of the young. Other speakers were Mr. H. S. W. King, on behalf of the Auckland Board of Education; Mr. W. R. Tuck, on behalf of the World Association for AdulfEducation; and Mr. Scott Johnston. A number of musical and elocutionary items were provided during the evening. Songs were contributed by Messrs. A. G. Fogaxty and R. H Dellow, with Mr. Eric Waters as accompanist. A humorous elocutionary item was given by Miss Freda Crosher, a witty impromptu speech and recitation by Mr. J. F. Montague, a Shakespearian recital by Professor Maxwell Walker and Mr. T. Harris, and an exhibition of conjuring by Mr. E. Axford.