WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 18762, 29 December 1930, Page 12

WAIMATE.

MAGISTRATE’S COURT. At the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning, before Mr G. Dash. J.P., a first offender for drunkenness was convicted and discharged. SUMMER CONFERENCE OF W.E.A. Questions of international and general interest are being discussed by members of the W.E.A. Summer School, which began its sessions in St. Augustine’s Hall on Friday night, and which will continue until Saturday evening next. The general public were invited to attend the lectures and to participate in the discussions which follow. The Summer School was opened informally on Friday evening when the secretary (Mr Geo. Manning), delivered a short address, upon the objects and intentions of the fixture. The meeting, he said, was calculated to stimulate interest in social and cultural subjects for the development of the capacity of greater understanding and enjoyment of the real things which contribute to make up life. The students should develop a critical attitude and a wise tolerance upon general questions, instead of blindly accepting views and opinions. For this purpose the school was formed. One of its most valuable features was the participation by the audience in the discussion which followed the lectures, and which permitted the expression of ideas that might be held by any member of the class. The students were drawn from every walk of life, and would take part in discussions upon very wide problems which interested the people of New Zealand as vitally as those overseas. The work of the League of Nations, as related to the Pacific, the work of the Imperial Conference, general Empire affairs, and international peace-would be discussed, and a series of lectures had been arranged on New Zealand’s current problems. with particular reference to price levels and the factors which contribute to the prosperity of this country. If desired, lectures would be arranged to discuss farmers’ problems, particularly with respect to the Arbitration Court and farming costs. This feature was arranged in Methven and was largely attended by farmers. Committees for the school were appointed and the organisers expressed the hope that the residents of Waimate would, for their own edification, attend the lectures and take part in the discussions. The students, 70 in number, came from Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Rangiora and Central Otago. This week’s schedule will include lectures by Dr J. Hight, Mr P. Campbell, M.A., Mi* L. F. de Berrry, M.A., Miss Carol West-Watson, 8.A., Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., Mr W. J. Scott, M.A., and Mr F. E. O’Flynn. Saturday’s Sessions Th» season’s work commenced on Saturday morning, when lectures were delivered by Mr W. J. Scott, M.A., “The Negro in Modern American Drama,” and Mr P. Campbell, M.A., on “The Economic Problems of New Zealand.” Both of these lectures, which were held simultaneously in the Borough Chambers and in the Church of England school room, were well attended by groups which showed a keen interest in the questions under discussion. One of the principles of the W.E.A. is open discussion and criticism of what a lecturer has said. This was availed of to the full, and the claim of the W.E.A. that there is room for all schools of thought within its ranks was borne out. At the general lecture, at which all the students were in attendance, Mr L. F. de Berry, M.A., gave an inspirational address on “International and Imperial Ideas.” The after discussion was inspiring and showed that those present were deeply interested in the subject. On Sunday a large group of W.E.A. Summer School students paid a visit to the hydro-electric works at Kurow. CHANGE OF PREMISES. We have secured commodious premises opposite the Arcadia Theatre and intend holding auctions sales on Saturday evenings at 7.30. We trust the public will extend to us a share of their business in this direction. Forbes Wallace. Box 47. Waimate. ...