WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22894, 30 May 1936, Page 19

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

RECORD OF PROGRESS COMING-OF-AGE CELEBRATIONS TRIBUTES TO THE WORK •b. The Otago branch of the Workers’ Educational Association has attained its twenty-first birthday, and the occasion will be celebrated next week by the holding of a series of special meetings. It is anticipated that many members of country classes, as well as a large iiumber of ex-students, will be present at the functions, at which 1 honour will be done to those who worked so hard in the early years of the movement’s history in this province. The increasing interest of the working classes in education has been one of the outstanding social trends of the twentieth century, and one of the most prominent indications of this interest has been the establishment and steady growth of the Workers’ Educational Association, which, as e recent syllabus states, “exists to make available to every citizen opportunities of Advanced education, to teach people to think for themselves regardless of party, and to develop, those qualities of appreciation without which the fuller possibilities of a civilised life cannot be attained.”

POSTMASTER.GENERAL’S TRIBUTE , From all parts of the community messages of congratulation and testimonies to the value of the teaching of the association have come since the announcement was made that the twentyfirst. anniversary was to be celebrated. Among these is a striking tribute from the Postmaster-general (Mr P. Jones), who has sent the following message:— (‘As one of the original members, it is gratifying to me to know that the coming-of-age of the Workers’ Educational Association of Otago and Southland is to be fittingly celebrated. Mention of the organisation vividly recalls

to my inind the late Dr H. D. Bedford and the splendid service he rendered the movement in its early days. “It is with not a little pride that I' admit the fact that my knowledge of industrial and political history, economics and other subjects was increased considerably as a result of the tuition I received through the association. Members cannot fail to derive considerable benefit from the interesting and' varied lectures that are delivered, and to-day I am finding the instruction I received very valuable in the course aof my administrative work. “It Is my sincere wish that the association will continue to prosper and increase in membership.” HISTORY OF MOVEMENT STEADY PROGRESS RECORDED s Although the history of the W.E.A, movement in New Zealand dates back 21 years, the movement was established in Australia for some time previous to that, and it was a branch of the English association which was formed in 1903. Various attempts to achieve something in that direction had, of course, been made prior to the establishment of the association, notably by the University Extension Movement. Dr Albert Mans.bridge, at that time associated with the Co-operative Wholesale Society, urged on the members the undesirability of their organising their education in isolation

from the ordinary educational agencies of the country, and particularly of the universities. He started from the fundamental conviction that the problem of adult working class education could only be solved by the co-operation of the tradesmen and the scholars, and that any attempt of either to carry on an educational movement independently would meet with but partial success. Thus it came about that a conference Vas called at Oxford on August 22, 1903. It was attended by a large gathering of representatives of co-operative societies, trade unions, and university bodies. Dr Mansbridge reported on the steps that had been taken up to that date, and he moved a resolution constituting the association. This was carried unanimously, and the Executive Committee chosen by

the conference to carry on the work for the first year well represented the union between Labour and Education for which the association stood. Since that time the association has expanded throughout England and Scotland, the British dominions overseas, the United States of America and some European countries. On March 23, 1915, a meeting was held in Dunedin to found a branch of the movement. Present at the meeting, at which Mr J. C. Stephens was chairman, were Mr Meredith Atkinson and Mr D. Stewart, delegates from the Workers’ Educational Association of Australia, who were on a tour of the whole Dominion, their purpose being the establishment of the movement in New Zealand. Others present were the Rev. A. Cameron and Mr W. J. Morrell (University Council). Mr M'Carthy, Mr Staples (Social and Democratic Party), Mr W. Campbell, Mr P. C. Triggs (Labour Council), Messrs H. W. Bedford, A. Walker, M.P., and J. Stephens (representing the citizens). At that time very few had any knowledge of the object of the association, but after the delegates had spoken, the meeting was impressed by the high ideals set forth —no less than the creation of an educated democracy — and it was decided to call a public meeting on March 29. This was better attended and, after Mr Stephens had briefly explained the aims and objects of the association. Mr Campbell moved and Mr M'Carthy seconded a motion that an association be formed, to be called the Workers' Educational Association of Otago and Southland. The

motion was carried unanimously, and the meeting was subsequently addressed by Professor White and Mr Mark Cohen. The annual subscription fee for individual members was fixed at 2s Od. Subscriptions were received from associated bodies and a grant of £3OO was received from the University Senate. The first tutoor was Dr Bedford, who made a lasting impression on his‘students, n The first annual report stated that there we're 17 labour unions and other bodies affiliated, and a number of individual members. The balance sheet showed a credit of £8 4s 2d, but the report closed With an expression of disappointment at the onmnarativelv small number of students who had taken advantage of the facilities offered them. It was anticipated, however, that the incoming year would see a great improvement. The following is a list of the men (there were no women) who enrolled in the first class in Dunedin in the year 1015: —M, Silverstone, J. D. Smith, R. Gardner, G. S. Thomson, T. M'Cutcheon, A. M'Carthy, H. Gore, W. G. Cope, J. W. Stables, T. J. Potts, W. M'Queen, W. J. Baker, R. Ferguson, I. Silverstone, R. M'Donnell, ,J. Saunders, T. J. Payton, T. G. Hilliker, F. E. Ford, John Jamieson, F. Jones, A. T. Hind, I. Fraser, G. Taylor, W. W. Callender, D. MacNivcn, E. Kcllett, G. Beadle, A. Kirby, A. M'Laren, A. Green, J. Birnie, J. S. Lawson, A. M'Donald, A. G. M'Carthy, P. C. Triggs, G. Hendry, W. M'Donald, W, D. Boreham, 6. M'Cracken, H. E. Haynes, B. Hughes, R. T. Little, J. Georgeson, F. Barton, A. Burgess, C. H. Hoskin, and L. Welham.

The hopes for the future were not unfounded, for three years later the president (Mr Stephens) was able to state that the movement was taking hn increasing hold upon the people. An economics class had completed a four years’ course under Professor Bedford, and a second class had completed a three years’ course under Archdeacon Woodthorpe, and the chairman stressed the association’s willingness to open new classes if the demand for them could bo shown to exist. Another indication that the movement was on its feet was the fact that the council had already set before itself the ideal of extending the work from Dunedin and Invercargill to the -smaller towns in the province. At that meeting the secretary was Mr G. M'Cracken, who had taken up the position some time previously, and who has had an intimate connection with the movement ever since.

Writing of the early years of the association, Professor W. B. Benham, who was a member of the District Council for more than 12 years as a nominee of the council of the University, remarks on the high calibre of the men on whom the burden fell.

eminent had made provision for £SOO to be granted to each nniversity college, the amount to be spent solely on the purposes of ■workers’ extension lectures, including tutorial classes in university subjects. This amount, in addition to the senate’s annual grant of £3OO, raised the association’s assured funds to £BOO per annum.. Two years later the Government made a further contribution, this time directly to the association, for the purpose of promoting the work. In 1921 at the annual meeting Mr Stephens reviewed the progress of the association. The membership, he said, had grown from 80 in the first year to 3C5, and of this number 211 were effective students. The number of classes conducted had increased to nine, these being North-East Valley, Roslyn, St. .Clair, St. Kilda, Mosgiul, Port Chalmers, Green Island, a* class for railwayman, and a senior class meeting at the University. This extension, it was felt, had warranted the appointment of a district organiser, and Mr M'Cracken was appointed to this position. _ Another innovation which had been introduced during that year was the conducting of a aeries of lectures and visits to various industrial establishments during the summer months. By the end of 1922 the enrolment figures had increased to 732, and there were 24 classes covering the greater part of the district from Oamaru to the Fluff. At the commencement of the following meeting Dr G. E. Thompson was elected chairman of the Tutorial Classes Committee, Mr Stephens, who had occupied the position since the formation of the institution, having decided to retire from the office. The work done by Mr Stephens in his term of office was of inestimable value, for he was far more than the mere official head. He was always personally and actively interested in the welfare of the movement, and acted as its delegate on a number of important deputations and conferences. Towards the end of 1925 it was felt that the amount of work to be done justified the appointment of a resident tutor-organiser and Mr Lloyd Ross, of. Melbourne, _ was the successful applicant for the position. Shortly afterwards Mi W. M. Bradley was appointed secretary, Mr M'Cracken having resigned in order to devote his full attention to tutorial work. This office Mr Bradley continued to hold until his death in 1935. Both Mr Ross and Mr Bradley gave valuable service to the association and made lasting impressions on the students with whom they came in contact. Other names which spring readily to the mind in connection with the work of the association are those of Dr A. G. B. Fisher, who was director for 10 years, Mr J. Johnson, who was a tutor for a period, Mr J. D. Shearer and Mr J. L. J. Wilson. THE W.E.A. TO-DAY In 1930 the association decided to grant an annual bursary tenable for at least three years and worth, in lecture fees, not more than £2O per annum. The value of this was soon appreciated, and each year the committee has had numerous applications. The following are the bursars who have so far benefited: 1930, Mr E. H. Langford (bursary extended for a fourth year); 1931, Mr VV. R. Young (bursary extended for a fourth year); 1932, Messrs E. W. Hunter and F. J. Collier; 1933, Mr J. Seddon; 1934, Mr L. Gdanitz; 1935, Mr J. Cunningham. The regulations permit of more than one bursary being granted each year if the College Council sees fit, but this has only been availed of in 1932. At the present time tutorial classes are conducted in six subjects, and there are also a -women’s class, at the Y.W.C.A.. a special series of mid-day classes, and activities at various country centres. An excellent introduction to those who were unfamiliar -with the methods of the association was provided by a series of short courses which were conducted in March. The office-bearers at present are as follows: Frcsident, Dr G. E. Thompson ; vice-presidents —Mr F. Jones, M.P., Archdeacon Whitehead, Mr W. J. Morrell, Mr J. T. Paul; director, Dr R. W. Souter; secretary, Mr VV. H. Stephens. The tutorial staff is as follows: —Professor R. W. Souter, director and tutor to economics class; Mr G. M'Cracken, senior tutor; Mr J. A. Brailsford, tutororganiser; Mrs W. N. Benson, women’s

“ I knew personally several of the early tutors,” he says, “ and at the council table heard their reports on the work done and as to the calibre of the students. I have always held the belief that the association was, and no doubt still is, doing useful work as a means of adult education, bringing to those who had not advantages in their earlier days the opportunity of studying a variety of subjects such as literature, economics, philosophy, some of which are almost up to University standard — especially in the early days when a normal course occupied three years; and many students attended faithfully the whole of that course. They evidently appreciated the work done by the tutors, who took great pains to put their subject clearly before the students; I sometimes marvelled at the scope and variety of the lectures some of these tutors had to prepare. I feel certain that the W.E.A. has been of great service and I trust that more and more of those for whom it is intended will take advantage of the privileges offered to them.” In December, 1919, an important step forward was made, Sir James Allen (then Minister of Finance) notifying that under an amendment Act the Gov-

class; Miss Hypatia Johnson, literature; Mr John Harris, literature; Mr E. H. M'Cormick, literature; Mr P. G. M'Millan, psychology; Mr C. G. F. Simkin, psychology; Mr Richard Seddon, psychology; Mr A. G. Linn, psychology; Miss M. A. Martin, music. VALUE OF THE WORK It would be difficult to form any idea of the widespread influence the association has had h. the community, and, although at first there may have been some who were afraid of political

bias undermining its ideals, the passing of the. years has only brought more supporters to it. Nowadays educationists and men in all spheres of life give their hearty endorsement to its curriculum. One such testimony comes from Mr F. Milner, rector of the Waitaki Boys’ High School, who writes as follows: “The best practical experience of the W.E.A. which I have had was my five years’ honorary tutorship of the English literature class at Oamaru. “I firmly believe in the organisation and its work. That is why I gave my time to it until outside engagements took too much of my attention to admit of continuance. “W.E.A. work is a necessity for the intelligent functioning of democracy. Its best work is done in social science, in education for citizenship, and its next best in humanistic work for the proper utilisation of leisure. W.E.A. work kowtows to no beadledom, has no axe to grind, no windows to dress, keeps no lock-step, breeds independence of mind and free investigation, worships no examination fetish, but keeps the open mind. Too much of our education keeps conventional lines, and is often gagged, blinkered and regimented. In the W.E.A. there is the freedom and the freshness of outlook which the problems of our changing society demand.” Another striking tribute to the movement and to the men who established it on such firm foundations has been made by Mr W. J. Morrell, chancellor of the

University of Otago, in a congratulatory message.

“ I can honestly say,” writes ,Mr Morrell, ‘‘ that my connection with the movement as one of the University representatives on the Tutorial Class Committee and District Council has been - a source of the greatest pleasure and satisfaction to me. My colleagues would, I believe, bear similar testimony. The whole movement rests on the cordial cooperation between workers and University to which its foundation in England was due, and that co-operation has throughout been maintained in the Otago W.E.A. There has been a fine spirit of unity on its committees, as in its classes, and no meetings or social gatherings have been fuller of -true fellowship than those of the W.E.A. University members have certainly gained much from the contacts thus resulting. Many lasting friendships have been made, and it has been refreshing and inspiring to meet men and women whose heart is in the work of the association, believing in its ideals, confident of its future, and eager to do all they can for it amid the difficulties of the past few years. Its presidents, from the days of the first meetings in the late Mr J. C. Stephens’s offices, have given unstintedly of their time and thought to its guidance. The movement has also been fortunate indeed in its directors—Dr Bedford, Archdeacon Woodthorpe and Dr Fisher, all men of great ability, wide human sympathies and clear-sighted energy. It has been equally fortunate in its staff tutors, past and present, and of late years particularly is securing the freely-given services of many busy men and women as part-time tutors. In difficult times the W.E.A., in its study circles, drama groups and otherwise, has undoubtedly shown that power of adaptation to circumstances which characterises the living organism bent on survival. I sincerely hope that with the further assistance it merits from public and private sources the association may ere long be enabled to develop more widely and fully its beneficient work for adult education in its best and truest sense.”

THE MOVEMENT IN SOUTHLAND i An interesting letter, dealing with the movement in Southland has been forwarded by Mr S. G. August, who has been associated with it since i*s establishment:—

“ I can very well remember the first meeting called by the late Mr Meredith Atkinson at.the Town Hall, Invercargill, early in 1915, at which it was decided to form an association, and it is interesting to note that this meeting was held before the Dunedin one. I have been in the movement ever since. In the capacity of secretary, organiser, and tutor, I have visited practically every centre in Southland and, as our session is held in winter, I have experienced many adventures on the road. Even 15 years ago some of the roads W’ere not nearly so good as they are to-day. “ Regarding the actual work of the W.E.A. in Southland, the fact that it was cultural was always kept to the fore. It was stated definitely that the teaching was not avocational—that could be obtained elsewhere, and whatever success has been attained has been on broad, cultural lines, as opposed to the strictly educational as generally understood. “ During the early years of the movement a certain section of students were against thy word ‘workers’ being used. They said it detracted and kept many people away. But the committee was firm and would stand for no alteration whatever. This may seem trivial now, but it is worth noting, as it was a real issue at one period. Now, I know every student is proud of the initials W.E.A. and what they stand for.” After some amusing personal reminiscences, Mr August continues:— “ The Invercargill classes ran on their even tenor, but for the country classes all sorts of unexpected difficulties would crop up, sometimes caused by flooded roads, snowstorms, and, worst of all, heavy mists and fogs. It has been sometimes necessary for one of the party to walk ahead of the car in a thick fog on a difficult road, otherwise we could not go on. But what made all such changes and chances so pleasant to look back on is the goodwill and enthusiasm of the students and supporters. These never failed us, and from Bluff to.

Centre Bush we have spent, and are still spending, a right regal time; If I mentioned names they would fill columns, so it cannot be done. Twentyone years are gone! ” PROGRAMME FOR CELEBRATIONS The winter school of the association will be commenced on Monday, and the first of the functions in connection with the corning-of-age celebration will be a reunion on Thursday at which it is hoped that the Postmaster-general (Mr F. Jones), who is the vice-president of the movement in Otago, will be present to give the principal address. Other speakers will be the chairman (Professor G. E. Thompson) and Archdeacon Whitehead. A conference of delegates, officials, and tutors on “ Present Problems of Adult Education in New Zealand ” will be held the following day, and on Saturday there will be an outing under Dr J. E. Holloway (lecturer in botany), and at night a series of oneact plays will be presented by the W.E.A. classes.