THE W.E.A.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19359, 14 July 1925, Page 5

THE W.E.A.

SEVERE CRITICISM “A SOP TO DEMOCRACY.” (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 13. “It is more or less camouflage, a more sop to the democratic ideas of the country.’’ In words such as those Professor H. Stewart, Professor of Classics at Canterbury College, made an attack on the Workers’ Educational Association in giving evidence before the Now Zealand University Commission to-day. In his written evidence, Professor Stewart stated: “I am strongly of the opinion that till the many needs of the colleges are satisfied no increased support should be given to the Workers’ Educational Association and extension work. I believe this work always received more support than is in the circumstances warranted.” Professor Stewart raised the point as to whether the money given to the W.E.A. by the Government was well expended. Ho suggested the commission should obtain information as to what proportion of real working men were in the W.E.A. classes and what proportion of those working men were from the Old Country. Professor Stewart said he had not a very intimate acquaintance with the W.E.A. in New Zealand and so what he said was only an expression of opinion. He suggested that a large proportion of the W.E.A. students were school teachers, retired tradesmen, and cultured or semi-cul-tured ladies, and people of that type. They were generally not working men at all. “The W.E.A. functions in Now Zealand are different from those undertaken in England,” he said. “In Liverpool and Camberwell, where I was acquainted with W.E.A. work, they got into touch with bona fido working men who had not been able to get a good education. In this country every child who deserves it is able to go right through to the university without undue difficulty. W.E.A. work is not really effective. It is superficial, mere camouflage, not serious work. It is merely a sop to the democratic feelings of the country. The Government should take steps to test the efficacy of the teaching in the W.E.A. Ido not suggest the grant should be reduced but an extra sum should not be spent in this way. The money should be spent on real serious work in universities in research.”