THE W.E.A. UNDER FIRE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16471, 6 July 1921, Page 7

THE W.E.A. UNDER FIRE

QUESTION OF LOYALTY RAISED. A laughable anti-climax to a deputation from the Workers’ Educational Association marked tho meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board to-day. Mr H. I>. A eland (chairman of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College), and Professor J. B. Condliffe had spoken in support of the association’s request for an increased grant, and had answered a number of questions, humorous and otherwise, including one as to whether the association intended to approach the Waimakariri Harbour Board. Tho chairman was on Ins feet thanking the deputation for its attendance, and promising that its representations would be carefully considered, when Mr Henry Holland rose hurriedly with “ Just one question.” “Does the WE.A. stand for loyalty to the British constitution?” he asked. Mr Acland knit his brows in deep perplexity, and Professor Condliffe smiled broadly.

■“I suppose, Mr Acland,” said J>r Thacker, in an attempt 'to relieve the tension, “ that you would stand up if we sang God Save the King?” Mr Acland said that lie presumed the board would accept tho objects of tho AV.E.A. as set out by Canon Temple, now Bishop of Manchester, who said: The AV.E.A. has been careful to maintain complete freedom from all sectarian or party political interest; it unites upon its platform all who desire to spread true education in the spirit of that freedom which is essential to education "among working people. It has no doctrine to teach except that people wlio desire to study should have the opportunity of studying, and that in their study they should make up their own minds.”

“ We have been suspect by various propagandists in the country who want to preach their own doctrines,” said Mr Acland. “We have been getting it on both sides. There has been a good deal of cross talk in Christchurch with reference to a class in Sydenham, and Mr Archer has been told bv some propagandists that he was a worse Tory than Professor Condliffe, while on the other hand several others have accused him of preaching Bolshevism and Marxian doctrines, but I don’t want the Press to take notice of that—l don’t want another? libel action (laughter). AVo are out to propagate truth ” I>r Thacker moved that the board should donate lt fifty so vs.”

Mr H Holland : aid that tho Wellington Harbour Board, which gave £IOO, was a larges employer of labour, whereas Lyttelton was not. The chairman said that the board’s credit balance under unauthorised expenditure was only £6O 10s until December 31. Mr H. Holland moved that the matter should he referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee. ( Mr Walter suggested the Finance Committee.

Mr F. Horrell moved that tho grant of £25 should be renewedriio matter was referred to the Finance Committee