W.E.A.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20983, 11 March 1938, Page 6

W.E.A.

RESIDENT TUTOR FOR LOCAL BRANCH At a recent meeting of the Timaru branch of the Workers’ Educational Association it was decided to appoint , a delegation to visit the District Coun- I cil of the W.E.A., for the purpose of : appealing to it for the reinstitution of i a resident tutor for the W.E.A. in South Canterbury. Messrs Paterson and Griffiths were delegates. Later, a special meeting was held to hear the report of the delegates on I their visit to Christchurch. Mr E. W. Jones presided. The delegates said they received a splendid welcome from the District Council, of which Mr H. D. Acland was chairman. It was probably the first time since the inception of the W.E.A. in Canterbury that such a visit occurred, and the delegates were of the opinion that they should be continued as they tended to strengthen relationships. as well as being educative and instructive. Continuing, they traced the history of the W.E.A. from the period when the resident tutors, Dr. Belshaw and Mr H. Miller, M.A., were here, up to the present time. Statistics, statements, and general observations ifrere instanced and quoted, showing clearly that the branch was never so prospeious as when the resident tutors were in the district. They were not only tutors, but organised classes in Timaru and country districts, and were approachable at any time which was a great help to students. It was also shown that part-time tutors helped the Association during the terms of the resident tutors, and the delegation

hoped if they were fortunate in having their request favourably considered by the District Council, that this phase of activity should be continued. The purpose of the W.E.A., they said, was to spread knowledge, and to stimulate thought and discussion; and thus increase the number of well and widely Informed, broadminded, clear-thinking men and women, equipped to play their parts as the leaders of the community. I The granting of a resident tutor for South Canterbury would greatly assist I in this respect. The chairman. Dr. Field, and Messrs Schofield and Manning supported the delegation’s request. Later observations, showed that it was too late in 1 the year to do anything in the way of granting a resident tutor for South Canterbury, but it was decided to recommend to the Tutorial Class Committee that a travelling tutor be sent to Timaru to help to organise and take one or two classes this coming session. Classes recommended were: “Literature,” “Public Speaking,” “Interna- ! tional Problems." "Nutrition,” or ‘Psy- | chology.” Mention was also made by I members of the District Council of the | wonderful support accorded the move- ‘ ment by Timaru newspapers. Mr Jones (chairman) thanked the ; delegates for their splendid report on - the visit, which he considered was well i worth while. He said the future of the W.E.A. looked brighter than it had for 1 many a day.