ESPERANTO NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8722, 2 May 1914, Page 10

ESPERANTO NOTES

(By “Cosmo.”)

The secretary of rho New Zealand Esperanto Association, Mr J. S. Bussell, writes;—“Tho annual meeting of tho N.Z.E.A. took place in the Esperanto Cafe, Newton, Auckland. Proceedings commenced by the singing of ’La Espero.’ Owing to tho abscnco of the p resident, Air Aldridge, who is on his way- to attend tho Tenth International Esperanto Congress, ono of the vice-presidents, Mr Gregory, occupied the ciiair. Tho secretary’s report .showed that increasing interest was being manifested in tho movement, no fewer than five .separate classes of instruction being held in Auckland last winter. The most important work of tho year had been tho arranging of an, Esperanto stall in the Auckland Exhii bition, by which means a largo number of leaflets and books had boon distributed. Tlio display included postcards from 52 different countries. There was also a collection of 70 'postcards from 25 countries received in response to an advertisement in one of the European Esperanto journals. Many tour” ist guides, trade circulars, and catalogues, all printed in Esperanto, demonstrated tho practical side of tlia language. A set of cards, allowing tho moves in two games of chess between the editor of a Spanish journal and tho secretary, had been exhibited and proved of interest. Side by side thorn wore an Esperanto grammar in Braille., a Chinese Socialist journal, and a theosophical juvenile magazine with lessons on Esperanto. The resolution recommended by the Auckland Society, that the subscription to the association of members of groups affiliated bo reduced was brought before tho meeting, but the motion was lost. Tha following officers were elected :—Patrons, Sir Joseph Ward, Hon G. Fmvlds, Mr C. J. Parr; president, Mr G. Aldridge; vice-presidents, Mrs ChapmanTaylor (Christchurch), Miss Horning (Auckland), Mr W. L. Edmanson (Wellington), MrGrcgory (J)argavillc), Mr W. Madden (Otahnhu), Mr Tilly (Whangarei), Mr Condo (Aratapu),’ Mr W. B. Farrand (Auckland); treasurer, Mrs Garratt; secretary, Hr J. S. Russell. An interesting account of tho Wellington Society was given by Miss Rutter (Wellington), who explained bow the social evenings were made instructive and attractive.”

At the weekly meeting of the Wellington Esperanto Society, which mot last Tuesday evening in Esperanto Hall, the president, Air \V. L. Edma.uison, read a report concerning tho N.Z.E.A., and its recent activities. One now member was enrolled—Miss Sinclair, The mooting was an enthusiastic one, the instruction of tho language being undertaken by the more advanced members.

Professor Charles Richot, of Paris, tho world-famous scientist, to whom the Nobol Prize was recently awarded, is an enthusiastic Esperantist. Government recognition of the language comes from the State of Rio do Janeiro, in Brazil. Tho local Parliament passed into law a bill introduced by tho President of the State, providing (1) that, for all public offices open to general competition, of candidates otherwise equally qualified, those shall be preferred who understand Esperanto, and can produce to this effect tins certificate of the Brazilian, Esperanto Association; and (2) that Esperanto bo made an optional subject in all ordinary and middle-grade schools. Similar provisions have also boon enacted in two other Brazilian States, Sergipe and Sao Paulo. Not only in towns where Esperanto congresses have taken place is Esperanto being taught to policemen, to enable them to understand foreign Esperantist visitors, and help thvn with local information, but in other places also, so that at tho present time Es-peranto-speaking members of the force are to bo found m a number of tho larger cities, London, Paris, Dresden, Leipzig, Madrid, Antwerp, Brussels, Edinburgh, etc., and may be recognised bj the Esperanto star worn on their uniforms. To an inquiry undertaken by the “Sclrweizcrische Bnrgerzeitung,'! addressed to municipal authorities throughout Switzerland, the replies received wero unanimously in favour of Esperanto, its value for tho police in their relations with foreigners, and for communication between the police authorities from one country to another, being fully recognised.

A Berlin firm write; to an Esperanto periodical for February that last year they received 345 orders from 31 different countries, written in Esperanto.

More information has come 'to hand concerning the introduction of Esperanto into the Russian schools. The Governor-General of the Amur district has recently sanctioned officially tho teaching of Esperanto in the schools at Vladivosbock. Esperanto courses are also in progress in the “gymnasium” at Orel, in tho “gymnasium” and the school of surveying at Ufa, and the Agricultural College at Zlatopol.