ESPERANTO MOVEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20076, 13 October 1928, Page 15

ESPERANTO MOVEMENT.

CONFERENCE IN EUROPE.

MARKED PROGRESS MADE. SUPPORT BY LEAGUE OF NATIONS Esperanto is finding great favour on the Continent, and tlio day is not far distant when it will Ijq used in diplomatic circles, according to Mrs. E. T. LowKing, of Auckland, who returned from London by tlio Rimutaka, yesterday, after representing New Zealand Esperantists at the universal Esperanto congress at Antwerp. Delegates wero present from 40 different countries, and so great were the numbers present that tho lists of applications for accommodation wero closed two months beforo tho conference opened. For the honoui of being tlio delegate who travelled the longest distance to tho conference. Mrs Low-King was presented with a suitable medal by Princess Astrid and her husband, tho Crown Princo of Belgium. Sho also received tokens from Chinese and Japanese delegatos. A Japanese ambassador asked her to convey friendly salutations to New Zealand, as also did a high Chineso official. "Tho principal conferenco was held at Antwerp, but I attended 30 different conferences in Europo in three months," Mrs. Low-King stated. "The spirit of friendliness was really wonderful. Except for the difference) in colour of the Eastern and Westerr: delegates, one would have imagined th° wholo gathering to be members of tho one nation, because all spoke the same language." Esperanto was an influence for good in tho world making a link between the old world and tho new, sho said. The movement was supported by tho League of Nations, it being hoped that League discussions would bo conducted in Esperanto in two years' time. Thousands of students were now learning Esperanto in the schools and colleges of Europe, the movement being specially strong in France and Germany. Broadcasting was helping to encourage interest very considerably, many of the Continental stations sending out reports in Esperanto. A famous professor recently invented an improved receiver, and before he placed it on the market stiuplated that it should bo used only (o foster the teaching and learning of Esperanto. Mrs. Low-King stated that creat interest was displaved by tho delegates in New Zealand. She had numbers of questions put to her, and delivered 12 lectures in Esperanto about this country.