WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18653, 7 September 1922, Page 2

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

UNIVERSITY TUTORIAL CLASSES., (Contributed by the Dunedin Branch of the W.E.A.) . WHAT THE CLASSES ARE DOING. ECONOMICS. The nineteenth lecture of the Kaitangata branch of the W.E.A. was held in the Council Chambers on Monday evening, August 21,'there being an average-attendance, the subjest being ‘‘lnterest and Profit.” The lecturer, the Rev. C. B. Jordan, M.A., dealt with his subject in excellent stylo, show: ing the distinction between profits and interest. and the different elements in profits, i explaining profits in different types of firms, and why is interest paid, pointing out the advantages of loans for productive purposes, what deterihines the rate of interest, also the exploitation theory of profits. The main discussion centred around the following:—“Should the 1 lender of capital ask inquisitorial-questions of the borrower ns to the use he intends to make of the sum loaned?” “What are the ethics of the payment of interest? If the whole world were one vast brotherhood, would interest be still demanded and paid?” Needless to say different opinions reigned in regard to both questions, some contending 1 that the lender of capital should not ask inquisi-, torial questions about the use the borrower was going to put it to, so long as he had good security, others pointed out that this did not apply to every case and maintained that the lender had a right to know what use his capital was being put to. Different opinions were put forward in regard to interest, some arguing that the taking of interest was punishable as a crime in the Middle Ages, but it was alijo argued that there was a vast difference between that time and modern times; for when' a person became a user of money in the Middle Ages it was to the detriment of the individual. But as time advanced the needs of the people became greater so as to require modern machinery to deal with the requirements of the people, and the division of labour was brought about,, malting it impossible for one person to attend, the machines the same as they use -to do with the hand loom weaving and the spinning jenny. To get the machinery it required capital, and those who saved that capital probably made some sacrifice in some shape or form, _and worked by being able to lend "that ’capital along with others. To put up buildings and buy machinery they wore ‘conferring • a service which found employment; or supposing he lent to some Cersoßrto build a house with or to use in usipe®}, he gets the ute of. the- money, loaned- tb him, and deriving'a,benefit from it is under on obligation to recompense the person who lends the capital, and that re-. ! compenso is paid in the form of interest. ' ENGLISH LITERATURE. The very instructive course of lectures held weekly at the Otago University under the auspices of the W.E.A. is now drawing to a close, the subject-now under discussion—Carlyle’s ' “Sartor Resartus” —being the final subject of study for this years •e«sfo^.%Rp»Jb«:pSAt-three--woeks the study has centred round Tennyson’s “In Memoriam,” the different aspects taken being a general review of the poem, Tennyson's life and philosophical outlook, and a comparison of his work with the work of other poets. Through Miss King’s wide knowledge of literature the lectures have proved most interesting to the students and have been greatly appreciated by them. The discussions after the lectures have been verv animated, several of the students by their questions and thoughtful contributions showing how deeply they entered into the subject. - - - NEW- ZEALAND HISTORY. The Mosgiel class is studying New Zealand, in its historical, social and economic aspects. The last subject dealt with was “The National and Governmental Advantages Enjoyed by the Citizens of New Zealand.” After showing that in its climate and social characteristics New Zealand may he best compared with the United States, the lecturer dwelt,on .the geographical, recreational. economic, social legislation, governmental and institutional'aspects of the sub peot. Some discussion followed, centred chiefly on the institutional. aspect, the general opinion being that-the “spirit of sociability” was the outstanding characteristic of the people, and that in this point they were unique amongst Engljshrspeaking peoples. . ■ ' Tne railway class meets under the tutorship of ■ This ia -ono of the most ; successful.’ classes in the district. Practically every member is a real worker, both from a business and from a class .standpoint.' The class is concluding its third session, and steady improvement has been shown by the members during the whole period. The subjects studied during the nrst and second sessions were industrial "histopy and theV principles of economics. At the present time the class is concluding a course of 12 lectures in sociology and-its problems, the number of lectures having been reduced from; the usual,.-.iiiiipba-. of 24 in order to allow more 'time for discussion. ' This' method has been very successful, as the members have; taken more interest and devoted more time to the subjects than ; they could otherwise! have done. Practically two meetings have* been giyen, to each subject, so that, as well 'as the hour after the lecture, the following meeting, is occupied by the discussion. The majority of the members have attended the full three sessions regularly, though many of them have worked ajl night on shift and then turned up to the class /as usual. . Some of the papers also ( that*/have- been written -would be acredit to ' any educational institution, and the class generally challenges in efficiency any other class in. the colony. ENGLISH COMPOSITION. In . order to meet the difficulty some students have in putting their fugitive thoughts down on paper,- a class for the ttudy of essay wtjtilig' waa started this .year, meeting on alternate Saturday evenings in the Y.M.O.A. Clubroom, which it-was thought would be and which has proved more central than the University, tor a class which attracts its membership from no fewer than five of the regular city and suburban classes. The tutor, Mr J. Johnson, has worked, not on the lines of grammar study, but more on the actual construction ot the essay, taking the paragraph as the important unit, and noticing how it could be developed from a topic sentence, and how an essay could be built up by related pargaraph's from a paragraph of main statement, jjtst meeting the class continued the study of outlines,' the evening being spent in constructing on the blackboard x careful outline of an essay on “The Apathy of the Masses in Political Affairs,” a subject suggested by a class member. The outline was then copied down by the students present, to be expanded into an essay as a home exercise. Those who have attended regularly and attempted the exercises set, have made astonishing progress, and are beginning to see, that the writing of W.E.A. essays is not quite so difficult as they used to think, now a little ligixt and encouragement has been given. PSYCHOLOGY. The North-East Valley, or rather ’ the North End class, which is following a course of studies in social psychology, last Thursday discussed with its tutor the problem of “How to Form an International Mind,” which ho described as the most urgent need of the day. The tutor pointed out the various psychical factors in the development of man’s mind in its growth towards a conception of humanity as a whole—world empire, world culture, world religion, and world history. He outlined the forces at work, to-day to bring men of different nations into touch with each other, yet showed the absence so far of the international mind in the conduct of affairs of everyday life, and urged the need of the creation of such a sentiment, -which might in a single generation work untold and unexpected progress. At the conclusion of the lecture.' a number of the members of the class, at the, tutor’s suggestion, did a little practical psychological research into their own minds, and narrated as far ‘ as they could trace them the facts or forces that had caused them to have leanings towards internationalism. The most interesting reminiscence was that of one member, who at the age of seven had given hie breakfast to a hungry black man. CLOSING SOCIAL, The Green Island class closed this years session on New Zealand History by having a district gathering. The president, J. L. Miller (Mayor), presided over an enthusiastic gathering of members and friends. The form of entertainment was unique, in that nearly every class member represented some illustrious New Zealand character. The folk-wing 'U a copy of the programme submitted Chairman s remarks, Mr J. L. Miller; community singing; the Right ■Hon.-R. J. Secldon, Mr H. Christie; Miss Rosiiia Buckmdn (twb songs), Miss 0, Wilder!;: the Right Hon. W. Massey, Mr R. Harrison; "Lady Philip Gibb’s” Visit to Now Zealand, Miss Lindsay; community singing; Mr C. Statham, Mr D. Reid; gong-(“Queen of the Earth”), Mr L. Mil-

ler ; candidate for Dunedin South, Mrs -Lindsay; Portia, Miss J. Miller; Thomas Bracken, Mr J. M‘K. Miller; Rudyard Kipling, Miss Mills; Robert Burns, Mr Pickup; Tennyson, Miss M, Mills; N.Z. Post and Telegraph Service, Mr R. G. Simpson; Edith Searle Grossman (journalist), Miss Blair; community singing. Every item had been carefully prepared, and not only was each well sustained but, in not a few cases, the impersonation was humorously portrayed. During the evening- Mr M'Cracken, organiser of the W.E.A. and tutor of the Green Island Class, took the opportunity of thanking the members for their warm-hearted support as manifested r by the regular attendance, essay work, and interest throughout. Mr J. MK. Miller, secl’etary of the class, expressed the members’ appreciation of the tutor’s services. All,.were emphatic on the benefits of the W.E.A. and on the ability and personality of the tutors provided. It was decided- that next year’s subject should be “Sociology,” with special breaks, when certain' literary Works would be studied from a sociological viewpoint. ■ The laches of the class provided refreshment, which, along with the community singing, aided in making the function a most successful one. The entertainment ■closed with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” ■