WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 16

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOTES.

(Contributed.) Since the development of the Workers’ Educational Association into the main force in the adult education movement the Summer School idea has become an accepted institution, both in Great Britain and America. The W.E.A. presented to the universities the case of the industrial vrorker w T ho was anxious for contact with the universities, but who was prevented from such contact by the nature of his work and the lack of income. The result was that the various colleges permitted their staff and all the facilities to be placed at the disposal of a body of selected students from the tutorial classes during two or three weeks of the long vacation. The students came from all branches of industry, lived in the hostels of the University College, and studied one special subject for three weeks under the guidance of the specialists of the college staff. The result of these summer schools, as they were called, was so pronounced that America is organising them in practically every important university in that country. The idea spread to New Zealand in 1920, with the coming of Professor Shelley. Ever since that date the Canterbury centre has organised an annual summer school. The method adopted here has not been to use the university college buildings, but rather to take the students into the country,

[ away from their ordinary surroundings and their economic responsibilities. The College staff supplied the tutors, similar to Great Britain. The success of the movement in Canterbury was such that in 1926 Auckland organised a summer school for one week. This year they intend camping at the Hunua Falls, about ten miles from Papakura, in most beautiful surroundings. The school will be held from December 26 to Thursday. January 3. The fees for the full period will be £2 15s. Professor H. Belshaw is the director, and the subject of study is “ American Civilisation and Pacific Problems.” The Wellington centre has also decided to hold a summer school this year at the Government Farm, Weraroa. Levin. Professor T. Hunter is the director, and the subject for study is “ Rural Education ” and “ The fee for the course from December 26 to January 3 is £3. Canterbury residents are invited to attend either school. The annual debate between teams representing the Dialectical Society of Canterbury College and the Public Speaking Class of the W.E.A. will be held next Saturday e\-ening, September 29, when the following subject will be discussed: “ That preferential duties are necessary to preserve and develop Imperial unity.” The College team. Miss West-Watson, Mr F. Rule and Mr Webb, will take the affirmative, while the W.E.A. team, Messrs J. Brown, W. Wilson and C. R. N. Mackie, will oppose the motion. Mrs T. E. Taylor, who recently returned from the Pan-Pacific Conference, has kindly consented to give a lecture to this association on Saturday evening, October 6, on the problem of “ Women and Children in Industry in China and Japan,” A most creditable performance has been achieved by a W.E.A. student in Auckland, in being appointed the lecturer in History during the absence of Professor Grossman through illness. The student, Mr Shearer, B-A., joined the W.E.A. in 1921, and attended the economic and history classes. Through his essay's and general knowledge be was recommended by the Tutorial Class Committee for a scholarship in the Universit" College. This was granted him, and last year he secured his B.A. degree and the national scholarship in Economics. During the period of Ids study Mr Shearer has had to work at his trade and was up to last week so employed. We heartily congratulate Mr Shearer on his appointment.

Public Speaking Class. There was a fair attendance at this class on Monday evening, when the students discussed the subject chosen for the annual debate with the Wesley Institute, “ That Democracy as a form of Government has Failed.” A challenge had been received to debate against the team chosen to represent the class. The affirmative side was taken by Messrs Efford (leader), Elliott and M’Glinchy. The negative by Messrs Brown (leader). Smith and Wilson. After the teams had spoken the subject was thrown open to the class, and a \*erv interesting discussion ensued. It was agreed that the class debate the following subject at its next meeting: “That the Bachelor is Happier than the Married Man.” Mr Jonps to affirm and Mr Elliott negative. Students are reminded to hand in suggestions for discussion to the committee.