WORKERS' EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Wairarapa Age, 20 March 1920, Page 5

WORKERS' EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AN INTERESTING ADDEESS. At the Masterton Municipal Buildings last night, an audience of about thirty citizens interested in educational matters, listened with close attention to a most instructive address from Mr. D. J. B. Seymour, organising secretary of the Workers' Educational Association. The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. H. Jackson), who briefly introduced the speaker. In his opening remarks, the speaker stated that the University should be the most popular -institution in the land. In tho past only a few had had the privilege of a University education, and generally it had been a question of money. It was the intention of the W.E.A. to bring the University to the country. Mr. Seymour referred to the modernising of the older and more conservative scats of learning, and particularly stressed the fact that the University V Oxford had recently decided to drop the compulsory subject of Greek. At one time economics were not considered of much import ance, and much more time had been occupied with the classics. That condition was rapidly passing away. Mr. Seymour mentioned the fact that at Harvard, one of America's foremost Universities, more tutors were engaged in the study of economics than in the whole of the Universities in England. The greatest demand at the present timo was for tho study of that particular question. So much depended upon it. It touched practically every question of the day, that enormous problem the cost of living. The old idea of education was rapidly passing* away. But still some people were under the impression that education was finished •with as soon as they had left the secondary schools. That was, indeed, a very wrong impression. The University should be the means of bettering the social life of the community. Many established opinions were swept away when the student entered the University, and in many it absolutely altered hisi outlook upon life, and gave him a better insight into the views of others. The work of the W.E.A. was essential, and its developments were practical. One of the keys to its success was that it embraced all opinions. The real success of a class, however, depended upon the real backbone that was" put into it by individual members. Tho thirst for knowledge was undoubtedly one of the fundamentals of human nature. Mr. Seymour recognised tho many difficulties that faced a class,-but he had no doubt but that they would be overcome. He recognised, also, that the country had a far greater need for the W.E.A. than the town. The mentality of the country was far more sober, also, than that of the town, he said.

Mr. Seymour dealt with the work of tho Association regarding literature, modern history, and its connection with the international problems of the present time, We could not afford to ignore the rest of the world, as we were too much bounfl together and entwined in these modern times,

The W.E.A. was not a body that gave vocational training. There was already provision for that. The aim of the Association was for cultural Iducation that would be a help and moans to real citizenship, which was the real root of all progress in a community and nation. The Government had recently granted £2OOO towards the Association's extension work, and the Victoria University Senate had also assisted financially. But when expenses and tutors were paid very little was left to carry on the work. It was absolutely necessary to raise the sum of £I2OO this year for organising purposes. In conclusion, the speaker stated that he hoped that at a later date a Dominion conference of the WiE.A. would be called, at which the aims of the Association would be thoroughly discussed, and a policy would be defined. Upon resuming his seat Mr. Seymour was very heartily applauded. Mr. G. R. Syke3*, M.P., stated that he was heart and soul with the movement, and would do all in his favour to assist it in any way possible. He stated that the Government grant of £2OOO was probably duo to the Hon. Mr. Hanan, who was an enthusiastic supporter of the scheme. The appointment of Mr. Seymour as the organiser of the Association also augured well for its success. The speaker was satisfied that the organisation was nonpolitical, but was simply out to educate the people. On-the motion of Mr. W. T. Grundy, seconded by Mr. Sykes, it was decided to form a branch of the W.E.A. in Masterton. Messrs "VV. J. Tennent and W. T, Grundy were appointed temporary organisers and convenors of the Association in Masterton. The meeting terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Seymour for his address, and to the Mayor for presiding.