W.E.A.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20190, 30 August 1927, Page 13

W.E.A.

PALMERSTON BRANCH. (From Our Own Correspondent ) PALMERSTON, August 29. The Palmerston branch of the W.E.A. held its fortnightly meeting on Saturday, when Mr G. M'Crackeu, the tutor, continued the study of Goldsmith’s “ Deserted Village,” dealing mainly with tlve economic considerations that are involved in the poet’s picture of depopulation of the country. Times are altered; trade’s unfeeling train Usurp the land, and dispossess the swain; Along the lawn where scattered hamlets rose. Unwieldy wealth and cumbrous pomp repose; And every want to opulence allied. And every pang that folly pays to pride. From such quotations as above the tutor analysed and dealt with the motives implied. The sorrows of “Auburn,” as represented by the poet, were attributable to tyranny on the part of trade and wealth. The rich and opulent were thriving from foreign trade. Was industrial development wrong in theory and practice? Was it the theory of foreign trade versus a self-sustaining country that was involved in the poet’s denunciation of the changed conditions, when he seemed to advocate the “ exploded theory ” of a selfsustaining country as an economic advantage? The changes brought about by the enclosures of the fifteenth century to meet the desire for a different kind of farming were referred to. The changes of the 17th century were also traced, and the real motive, that of profit and not luxury, was emphasised. That a certain amount of suffering must follow such progress, especially if it is rapid, was particularly true of changes in Goldsmith’s time. The question then arose: “Should progress be held up because it causes some hardship?” Examples of the factory system killing the home industries were cited. Similarly the effect of modern advance in the use of petrol and electricity, on the coal industry, was mentioned. The tutor summarised his lecture in the form of two or three pointed questions for his pupils to try to answer for themselves: “Would you say that the action of capital is always contrary to the interests of the people?” “Are business men morally bound to calculate the effects of their progressive work on other people? ’’ Some time was spent at the close by an animated discussion, in which a number of those present took part.