WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18785, 14 June 1929, Page 2

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOTES.

(Contributed.) The development of adult education as one of the main parts in any scheme of national education has been stressed from time to time in these columns. Now comes evidence from the other side of the world of events which are working to demonstrate the same conclusion. For instance in Victoria, British Columbia, from April 5 to 13 a world conference was in session whose scope was the consideration of the great influences in the life of the average man and woman. The secretary of the conference stated: “ The programme of the conference is designed as an approach to adult education from a new angle, as an integral part of the great educational process. The conference will endeavour to demonstrate that what is generally termed adult education is education rightly conceived. All else is but a prelude and no scheme of education can serve its time and generation which omits any factor or stage of either life or knowledge. No system of education will concern itself with man at work and at play and help him to share the environment in which his life is lived. No system of education concerned only with school and college years, can achieve its purpose in the face of the devastating influences which the forces of modern science and so-called progress have produced for our present day enlightenment and pleasure.” Another conference on “Adult Education” will be held at Cambridge University during August of this year. Representatives from practically all the European countries, America and the British dominions will be present. New* Zealand W.E.A. has appointed three delegates who will present the peculiar problems which this country is faced with, and the manner in which those problems are being met. By these exchanges of experiences each country will be able to assimilate Something which is a success in some other country. New Zealand no doubt will benefit greatly when the delegates return with their reports because being so far away from the centre of the world’s clearing house of ideas, and consequently being to a great extent isolated from the clash of the various experiments that are being made in adult education, there is a tendency to become conservative, narrow and self-satisfied. These visits to other countries of New Zealand’s educational experts must have far-reaching experiences for good, because these visits help to keep us in touch with the progress that is being made in other parts of the world. Christchurch students will have the opportunity on Saturday evening next of hearing Professor L. B. Pocock, of Canterbury College, give his interesting lecture on “Ancient History.” One great historian has said, “What the memory is to an individual so is history to the nation.” This lecture therefore, should prove of great value to all those citizens who are anxious that this country should develop on right lines and make its contribution to the progress of humanity. It should be of value also to those people who seek education because of the pleasures that flow from a cultivated mind. The lecture is free and every person is invited to be present. Public Speaking Class.

There was a large attendance of students at this class and one visitor on Monday evening, when the question of the prohibition of the liquor traffic was debated on a motion introduced by Miss Marion Rigby. The opponents of the proposal were led by Mr John M’Glinchy. The other students who contributed to the lebate were Mr E. Turner, Mrs Broughton, Mr M’Leod, and Mr C. H. Godfrey. The debate was then adjourned. It seemed at the commencement ol this debate that the effect of the last licensing poll was being reflected in the attitude of the students, but it was found later on, judging by the reception of the speeches delivered, that prohibition still holds its place in the convictions of the people regarding the liquor question. The arguments used generally were those with which the public have been familiar for some years. The exceptions were that one student dealt with the question from a physiological point of view, and spoke of the alcoholic brain, which he said was hereditary, while another student claimed that water had killed more people than drink. In support of his argument he referred to the Bible, and spoke of the flood, also of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. He expressed the opinion that one pint of beer would have saved the airmen who lost their lives in theKookaburra disaster.

The debate was preceded by a lesson on pitch, tone, and modulation of the voice, in which the tutor (Mr John Rigg) gave practical advice and examples as to changes of pitch and tone.