WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21221, 30 December 1930, Page 3

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

SUMMER SCHOOL. , , The serious work of the Workers’ Educational Association’s Summer School began on Saturday morning with two lectures which were given • simultaneously to two groups of students in the Borough Chambers and in the Church of England schoolroom. Mr P. Campbell, M.A., delivered an address on “The Economic Problems of New Zealand,” and Mr W. J. Scott, M.A., gave one on “The Negro in Modern American Drama.” The attendance at both lectures was very good, and the. spirit of discussion ■ and criticism which is. so pronounced a feature in. the W.E.A. movement was well in evidence, as students occupied the full time allowed for discussion at the conclusion of the lectures. /That" there is room for all schools of thought within the limits of the W.EA.. organisation was amply demonstrated at the opening lectures. Good humour and toleration characterise these discussions. ■ ,

The first general lecture of this year’s school, was entrusted to Mr L. F. 'de Berry, M.A., who had for' his subject " International and Imperial Ideals.” ,The address was. on a high plane and : was listened to with dose attention by a large assemblage. At the conclusion a spirited discussion took place, and severaV speakers spoke in eulogistic terms of the fine inspirational nature of the address.

During the afternoon a picnic was held in the beautiful .grounds of Nottingley Park, when Mr A. H. Shrubshall gave an interesting talk on the plants growing in the grounds. The evening session was taken up by an address by Mr W. T. Thomas, M.A., on “ The Romance of Words.” A very large attendance filled the hall, and the lecturer showed in a convincing manner that the title of his lecture was no, misnomer. He gave a fascinating account of the growth of our language, showing what a Wonderful' instrument of thought the English language is. An interesting discussion followed. The concluding items of the evening programme were an interesting rendering of the play “ Emperor Jones ” (Eugene O’Neill) by Mr W, Bridgman, of the Dunedin W.E.A. Dramatic Club, assisted by Mrs S. F. Bridgman; songs and folk danoes W members of tbe school. Miss Williams (England) is directing the folk dancing, and this form of recreation is participated in by young and old. On Sunday afternoon a party of -50 members motored to Kurow to see tbe hydro-electric works, and spent a very enjoyable'and instructive time. The magnitude. of the enterprise impressed everybody. During the afternoon Mr Garnet Campbell read an interesting paper on geology, which made a fitting introduction to the inspection of the works, In the evening Mr G. Manning, M.A., gave an interesting address on “ The Government of India.” There was a large attendance, many residents of Waimate being present, in addition to members of tbe school. >