WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 8

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Workers’ Educational Association of Otago and Southland was held in the Town Hail on Thursday evening, approximate!' 50 members and subscribers being present. Dr G. E. Thompson (president] occupied the chair. In moving the adoption of the twelfth annual report of the W.E.A. of Otago and Southland. Dr Thompson said he wished to make a few supplementary remarks on the work done by the association during the past year. He said: “I do not need to remind you that the movement is still in its infancy. Twelve years are, after all, a mere moment in the history of a movement such as ours, and the extent to which it has grown and consolidated during this brief period leads us firmly to hope that in the years to come adult education will not be merely an adjunct to the University, but will be a separate and integral part of our educational system. The progress already made is remarkable. The association began its work in Otago in 1915 with one solitary class, held by the late Dr Ledford in the University building, with 30 students. During the past year 29 classes were held in Otago and Southland, and the total number of students enrolled was 911. The subjects taught have increased greatly in number and variety. But the success of an educational movement cannot be estimated by mere figures. Indecd. in no department of human activity is eii’eetivc work more difficult to evaluate. One thing, however, can be said, that there is abroad in the community to-day. among those sections that have not had the benefit of University education, a knowledge of economics, history, and literature which did not exist before tins movement began. And there is also greater desire for such knowledge. I Ins is in spite f the tremendous growth in those counter attractions which tend to create a craving for amusement and emotional exictement. „ “Again, there if abundant evidence oi the effect of the work on individual members of the organisation. As I previously said, one of the most pleasing results ol our efforts is the number of men and women who have found themselves, to whom attendance at our various classes has become not merely a habit, but a joy, and who look forward to _ each r recurring session with keen anticipation. The movement has, of course, its c-itics, and we cannot too strongly stress the fact that the spirit of the movement is non-partisan, non-sectarian, and democratic. Another criticism relates to the standard of the education given. When the tutorial class system was first instituted in England the principle adopted was that of a consecrated three-year course, working up to a standard comparable to that of University honours. This was the constitution adonted in the first class established in Dunedin. But it was not long betore it was found that such a system was quite unsuited to our conditions of slutting population and the inevitable modification of the original system naturally affects the standard of the work done. On the other hand, it widens the appeal, spreads knowledge over a larger area, and keeps interest alive by varying the subject. Further, it must be remembered that the education at which we are aiming is cultural, not vocational. It is impossible to draw a strong line of demarcation between cultural and vocational education, but, broadly defined, vocational education is for a man’s working hours, and cultural education is f<k his leisure. One of the greatest influences for good that the work of this association may have lies in the direction of the child, for many boys and girls labour under the permanent handicap throughout school life and after of hearing no intellectual or even intelligent ■ conversation in the home —at the fireside or round the dinner table. If this organisation can reach the child through the narent, and can give a right direction to the tastes and ideas of the young by giving high ideals to the adult, its work for good will be more than doubled.” —(Loud applause.) Mr T. R. Fleming, in seconding trie motion for the adoption of the report, said there had been criticism of the association at Home, and that criticism was not justified. On the other hand it was recognised that' some of the essays written by members of the association were equal in quality of the work done by _ degree men in the universities. Four ladies who had obtained first-class honours in degrees—he

thought in Cambridge University—were members of the University Extension movement. Discussions which had taken place between members of the Workers’ Educational Association had proved most helpful ; the quality of such discussion was quite equal to what might be expected from university graduates. The tutors in Otago and Southland were splendid guides to melt students. The association, which was endeavouring to carry out the ideals it aimed it, was worthy of’ every encouragement.— (Applause. Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P., said he wished to congratulate the association on the excellent work done during the year. Its activities were worthy of their heartiest support. The association was a body which was providing educational facilities tor people who had not had the advantages of more than a primary education. The local bodies were interesting themselves in the movement, and this included the Dunedin City Council, which made an annual grant to the Workers’ Educational Association. He noted among the remits which were to be submitted to the Municipal Conference to be held shortly was one which had for its object the legalising of larger monetary grants being paid to such bodies as the Workers’ Educational Association, and he would have much pleasure in supporting such a remit when it came up for discussion. It was such associations which would

tend to bring about a better feeling between workers and employers.—(Loud applouse.) Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., said it was a pleasure to him to know that the Workers’ Educational Association had more members in the Dominion than there were students in the four universities. He eulogised the good work done by those at the head of the movement in Dunedin, and the tutors. In this connection he specially eulogised the services rendered by Professor Fisher, Dr Thompson, Mr Geo. M'Crackcn, and Mr W. M. Bradley.—(Applause.)

Mrs Christie also spoke, and referred appreciatively to the work done by pme of the tutors, more particularly Miss King.

The Hon. G. M. Thomson, M.L.C., said he thought it would be generally regarded that the University was out of contact with the people, but the association was bringing the University into touch with them. He thought the public should be given an opportunity of knowing something more about the association and the classes held under its auspices. He was opposed to the principle of going to the Government for funds for the carrying on of such institutions. When he was connected with the Dunedin Technical classes at their inception the whole of the money required was provided by the students and by private individuals. Ho was not hostile to the association, but he thought it should bo selfsupporting.

Mr W. Tuckey, thought it was a matter for congratulation that so many students were attending the association’s classes. Ho believed that the number attending was in excess of the number enrolled in similar classes in Sydney. Dr Fisher said he was of the opinion that it was the duty of the association to find out whether the methods adopted were the most efficient. He thought the association was deeply indebted to those who constituted themselves the association’s recruiting agents. Members should not, however, be passive. It was essential to their very life that that they should be active in taking an interest in the most serious work.

Mr P. C. Triggs said ho believed the movement would he greatly assisted if the work could be so arranged as to create controversy. Apathy was the greatest trouble which such associations as the W.E.A. had to face. ff mental vigour were not present another organisation would arise and take its place. He thought subjects dealt with at the classes should be debated. Mr J. B. Turner said the W.E.A. was an institution which was worthy of every support, and he did not think that Mr Triggs need have any fear as to the effects of the working of the association. The motion for the adoption of the re port was carried. Mr J. T. Paul, in moving the adoption of the balance sheet, said there need bn no fear of getting too much assistance from Ihe Government The activities of the association were to some extent handicapped bv lack of funds. If more funds were aval! able the association’s scope would be greatly '■xfend-d. Me boned P’nt d'-rhi" (he j-nnn'"-'

year those in n position to do so would give the association all the financial assistance they could. Mrs Christie seconded the motion. Mr H. Braseh said he was afraid the value of the work done by the association was not ' sufficiently rocogn->sod bv those

who would benefit by the teaching given. He wished to testify to the ovemplary manner in which tho «ere kept by their secretary, Mr Bradley. He suggested that a committee should be set up to consider the question of raising money from the community and reporting to the association. The motion was carried. The Chairman said Mr Brasch’s sugges tion would bo duly considered. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows—President, Dr G. K Thompson (re-elected): vice-presidents—Messrs T. K. Ridev. M.P.. W. .T. Morrell, and F. Jones (re-elected); auditors, Messrs F. Jones and TI, Brasch (re-elected).. On tho motion of Mrs Christie a hearty vote of thanks was accorded all sympa thi-ers with the movement, and those who had assisted in any way. *