W.E.A. NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 21 July 1934, Page 18

W.E.A. NOTES.

(Contributed). One writer has stated “ that the need of citizenship is not for more politics obviously, but for more thinking along sound moral lines. The individual can take a peculiarly important part in filling this need.” A great attempt to meet this great need of thinking along moral lines and in training men and women to fulfill their parts adequately in social discussion is being made by the Kaiapoi W.E.A. class. For the last three class nights the students formed themselves into a public meeting for the purpose of discussing modern problems and for training in the art of chairmanship, and in the correct procedure in discussing and amending motions. The chairman is changed during the evening so that most of the students are given an opportunity to learn this art. The first student to fill that capacity was Mrs R. Brown. Then a local councillor, Mr J. Hirst, followed. The motions proposed are such that the majority of students can participate in the discussions. The speakers last evening were Mr J. T. Williams, Mrs Brown, Mr Morgan Williams, Mr R. Brown, Mr J. Mathison and Mr J. Yellowlees. Mr N. Duff occupied the chair. The motion was, “ That Parliamentary Government, having proved inadequate to meet the needs of the State, a dictator be appointed by the Governor-General.” A W.E.A. Loss. The Association is about to lose one of its most active students and supporters in the person of Mr W. Stewart, Land Commissioner for Canterbury. Mr Stewart joined the association in 1924 soon after his arrival in Christchurch, and was a keen student of Professor J. B. Condliffe in economics. Since that date he has attended a class each year and has given papers to the class on several occasions. He has now being promoted

Valuer-General for New Zealand, a position which will necessitate his living in Wellington. The District Council and W.E.A. students will combine to congratulate Mr Stewart on his recent appointment. We sincerely hope that the Wellington W.E.A. will soon realise that- a Canterbury student, imbued with the real spirit of fellowship, has come amongst them. Post-War Britain. Mr L. C. Webb, the tutor of the class studying the conditions of “ postwar Europe,” lectured on “ The position in Britain ” to the class last Wednesday. The discussion after the lecture centred around the relations of Britain with the rest of the Empire. Psychology. This class had an attendance of 47 students last Thursday when the tutor, Mr R. Winterbourne, continued his lectures on “ The development of conscience.” He stressed the need for the students to rid their minds of the old ideas of what conscience was, and to get a clear idea of the evolution of conscience. A keen discussion followed at the conclusion of the lecture. New Zealand History. The progress made in political and social organisation in New Zealand from 1853 to 1894 was outlined to this class by its tutor, Mr A. J. Campbell, on Tuesday evening last. “ During this period,” stated the tutor, ‘‘the colony was granted self-government and made remarkable progress.” Another Song Recital. A unique experience will be permitted W.E.A. students and their friends this evening when a song re-

cital will be given in the association’s rooms by Madame Gower Burns and her pupils. The party has spent a great amount of time preparing the programme, which will include solos, duets, trfos and quartettes from the works of famous composers. It is anticipated that two hours will be taken to get through the full programme which has been arranged. By the formation of classes in music, and the organisation of song recitals, to which the public are invited, the W.E.A. attempts to wdden the idea of what adult education really stands for. Kaiapohia Pa. Next Saturday afternoon, July 28, the proposed trip to the old Kaiapohia Pa at Woodend will take place. The party will leave the Trades Hall, Gloucester Street, at 1.45 p.m. and will return to town by 5.30 p.m. Mr A. J. Campbell, M.A., will give to the party a lecture on “The history of the Pa.” Public Speaking Class. The weekly meeting of the Public Speaking Class was held in the classroom in the Trades Hall on Monday evening. The tutor, Mr John Rigg, delivered a lecture on how’ to define the terms used in debate. The adjourned debate on the question, “ That the League of Nations should be abolished,” provided some speeches which" aroused the enthusiasm of those present. Of seven speakers, six spoke in favour of the League. The students who addressed the meeting were: Miss L. Corkill, Miss M. M’Lean and Messrs If. E. Goggin, J. L. Robson, A. Thompson, L. F. Warburton and F. Brooks. The conclusion of this debate is expected to take place next Monday .evening.