THE W.E.A.

Wairarapa Age, 15 March 1933, Page 5

THE W.E.A.

HOPES OF GOOD SUPPORT THIS YEAR. TIMES EMPHASISING NEED FOR STUDY. < OBSERVATIONS BY BRANCH CHAIRMAN. That the W.EA might expect to attract increased support in times like the present was one of the points emphasised by Mr. H. C. L. Robinson, in some introductory observations, when he presided at the opening lecture delivered by Mr. J. A. Brailsford last evening. The object of the W.ELA., Mr. Robinson said, was to afford adults an opportunity of continuing their education. Working under the direction of the University of New Zealand, the association sought to attain this object, by lectures and through the organisa-* tion of local and special study circles. Last year had been an extremely difficult one. Hard times had come upon us, but the public were still bound by their previously formed habits of good ♦ : mes and bad not yet grasped the necessity of obtaining a national outlook. Mr. Robinson paid a warm tribute to the fine work done for the branch last year by Mrs. T. B. Barrer, who was thoroughly supported by the secretary, Miss Miller. It was a matter of great regret that circumstances had prevented Mrs. Barrer from continuing her work for the branch. “This year, curiously enough,” Mr. Robinson observed, “opens with a set ©f circumstances that is in some respects much more favourable to the activities of the branch than those that ruled last year. Let us summarise some of the last month’s happenings throughout the world. Japan, as the result of an eight days’ war, and in defia nee of the League of Nations, has occupied a huge additional territory in China. To-day, she is said to be contemplating the conquest of the whole of China. A few days ago, one of her ambassadors suggested an arrangement with Holland for colonisation of Dutch New Guinea. New Guinea is only 80 miles distant from Australia. Germany has had a tremendous revival of militarism. America has, perhaps only temporarily, come io the end of her financial tether. The League of Nations and the Disarmament Conference are both in parlous plight. Here in New' Zealand, the Government has had compulsorily to reduce its own internal interest payments. These happenings must make people realise the necessity of endeavouring to obtain some clear national outlook, if we as a people are to either survive and develop or go under in a creditable manner. This

outlook can be obtained only by study on the part of a large number of our citizens—and particularly the younger Citizens, in whose hands the future lies. The Workers’ Educational Association offers the opportunity to do this. The title of the association was adopted from England. I am one of those who believe the word “Work-

ers*’ should be discarded in favour of the word “Adult.’’ While classes will, I believe, always exist, there is no other country that offers greater facilities to its children to rise by their own unaided efforts to any position in the land. Masterton itself affords numbers of outstanding examples of this. For this result, we have to thank the vision of our pioneers who established on broad lines our remarkable national system of primary, secondary and university education. Separate sectional meetings of business men, farmers and labour unionists do not conduce to a national outlook. What is required is an interchange of ideas between thoughtful men and women of all classes. OPEN DEBATES.

“To promote this, and as a first step towards individual study, the Masterton branch proposes, if sufficient support is afforded the idea, to initiate open debates. In order to keep the association itself from becoming identified with any particular opinion, no vote will be taken on such debates. The committee desires that all who are prepared to support this idea should become members of the association, put forward suggestions for debate, and intimate to what extent they are prepared to join in the debates. “In addition to the debates will be the lectures. It is to be emphasised that lectures are not in themselves an education. They are a means to education, which requires .sustained study and effort on the part of the individual. The opportunity for this is provided by the library, by the reading circles and by the special study circles to consider the type-written lectures. If our hopes are realised, the W.E.A. will assist the citizen to maintain the kingdom of his mind and prevent the spread of the fear and hysteria which are rife in both America and Germany.’’

After citing the heroism of Captain Scott and his companions as the supreme example of complete dominion of the mind, Mr. Robinson emphasised in conclusion that the appeal of the association was for the support of young men and women. “Elderly folk,’’ he said, “have not the same energy or power of receiving new ideas. For the young is the future, and on the young lies the duty of wisely moulding the thought of the nations. They can do this only by work and study.’’ (Applause.)*

Mr. Brailsford said that an invitation extended to those who were unemployed or otherwise in difficulties to attend the lectures without fee. Mr Brailsford said also that he wanted to thank the executive of last year, particularly Mrs. Barrer and Miss Miller, for the valuable help they had given.