ESPERANTO NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8609, 20 December 1913, Page 10

ESPERANTO NOTES

(By “Cosmo.”)

The main feature of interest at tljo meeting of the, Eyall Bay branch of the local Esperanto. Society, which Look place on the 11th inst., was furnished by a number of postcards received from foreign lands; Pleasure was occasioned in translating the messages, which proved excellent practice. Despite the distance of the countries from which the cards had journeyed, the communications were, without exception, free from ambiguity.' Towards the conclusion of the meeting, conversation in the, international lan’ guago was proposed and received general approval. Esperantists residing in outlying parts of the city are taking advantage of tho proximity of the new group, instead of attending the central meetings. To acquire fluency in speaking Es poranto was tho purpose which induced a number of enthusiasts to meat, in Esperanto Hall last Saturday even ing. Conversation —a necessary fac tor in the acquisition of all languages —was in evidence .in several groups, <V continuation of instruction to those who have recently commenced to study tho language was entered upon, whilst others practised a short play which is proposed to be presented at a future “social.” The proceedings wero heartily enjoyed. Tho weekly meeting of the Welling, ton Esperanto Society eventuated last Tuesday evening in Esperanto Hall Xo little indignation was expressed concerning the persistency of the weather in raining'on Tuesday evenings Twelve members braved the elements There was little business to be transacted, and on the motion of llio secretary it was decided that the bust ness of the society should lapse foi two weeks. Instruction will therefore bo carried on more than visual. Arrangements are to be made so that those members who intend to visit the Auckland Exhibition will be able to go together. Mr D. J. Duncan, Gisborne, late secretary of tho society, wrote saying that he would be pleased to meet members at Hie Exhibi. tion at Christmas time. Tho Edinburgh Esperanto group stimulated by the prospect of an in . tornational congress in the Scottish capital’ in 1915, has issued an attrac tivo programme of meetings and classes for the winter. In addition to tho group meeting,’ there is to be a “Study Circle,” which is to take th« form of reading an Esperanto classic, with duo regard to correct pronunciation, under the leadership of export Esperantists, who are to tel in rotation. It is not generally known that for some years the Intoruaoia Scienca Asocio (a scientific association which adopted Esperanto as its official language) has been using a theoretical monetary unit called a “speso,” sc small that 1000 (a spesmilo) is cqui valent to 2.003 English shillings. A coin has actually been struck in hon our of the commencement of the second quarter-century of the Esperanto propaganda last year. Tlioso coma have been eagerly Sought at their face value of 21 francs, and the jokers who have been freely spending pull out the new coin and toll how that is their “last spesmilo !” Aii important subject discussed at a recent meeting of the Universal Esperanto Association, held in Berne, dealt with a proposal that there should bo an international postage stamp, just as thero is already an international reply coupon. Unfortunately there was not sufficient time to discuss this matter adequately, owing to pressure of other business. The social side of an Esperanto Congress is an important part of its work, and its educational value is very great. In point of mere fluency, says a writer in the “Yorkshire Post,” a highly efficient stenographer must find it a big task to follow some of the veterans. But what is more important is the loss,’ in tho matnrer speakers, of distinctive national pronunciation.