WORKERS’ EDUCATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18157, 23 October 1930, Page 10

WORKERS’ EDUCATION.

MANY NEW CLASSES FORMED. AWAKENING OF INTEREST. Ample evidence of the excellent community work accomplished by the Workers’ Educational Association was rffnrriprj at the annual meeting of the Hamilton Advisorv 'Committee last evening. Mr E A. He la Mare. the president. presided, those present including Messrs .T, r-ilhert. C. F Sheri pv. A. H. Ward, F. wn«nn. C. 0. Tidmarsh. n TT. Page (spcretarv'i and F. B. Cfenhpns ftutor-’prgnpfspr 1 . Mr Rtenhens renorted that there was a. class memhersbin in the Waikato of 245. exclusive of clubs and sunrwartprs. This membership romnrised formers, ltd; executive officers. 5: teachers, p- nrnfp,e S jonal. id; domestic. 68: shopkeepers, 4: clerks, 31: manual. 2. The individual class member.shin was: Hamilton, 47: Pushup. 16: Te Pore. 34: Te Pahu. 39: Mnrrjnsville 30; Te Kowhai, 34; Newslead. 30; Te A rob a. 20. The financial statement, said Mr Stephens, showed that expenses had totalled £l6O and there was a deficit for the year of about £2l providing all promises for donations were fulf'llod. Donations, including promises, amounted to £4B 2s, compared with over £9O last year. Seventy-three lectures had been given during the yean—24 at Hamilton, 7 at Te Palm and 6 at each of the other centres. In addition there were 12 wireless lectures and one lecture at Matamata. Gf last year’s class 75 per cent were farmers and their wives, omitting the Waikeria Institute. Of the proposed programme next year 84 per cent would be farmers. The estimated donations next year were £66, subject to subsidy; receipts, £154; expenditure, £l5O, making an estimated credit balance of £4. .

Report for the Year, The annual report, . which was adopted, stated, inter alia; — “The Association has very definitely progressed. Following the policy which has been gradually put into operation over the past year or two, the aim has been to work intensively a small area rather than endeavour to cover in a more extensive manner a much wider sphere. Thus with two exceptions all the classes this year have been within a radius of 20 miles from Hamilton—the two exceptions being Te ArohP (35 milfes) and Tuahue (28 miles). Further, the bulk of the work and certainly all this year’s extensions have been definitely rural. By the term rural we mean areas quite away from country towns. In this regard the work here is peculiar to the Waikato district, for although other centres speak of rural work it will be noted that such work is rather work in country towns than rural in the sense in which we define the term.

Boon to Farmers. “Some 75 per cent or more of the class members are farmers, their wives and children. The movement has largely become a focus of country life in this district. It would be an inspiration to any one to arrive in a country school some ten miles or more fropi the nearest township and find a room full of farmers and their wives and farm hands packed round a large open fire, many having come five and six miles over bad roads. Then go out in the day time and meet a farm hand with a play of G.B.S.’s in his pocket ready to discuss some of the latter’s ideas, and only the person who could not he convinced would say that the work was not worth while. Hamilton Classes. “In Hamilton the drama class did some real good work. During the year several well-known plays were read and discussed. An interesting feature of this class is the fact that many of those to whom' attendance at classes is a religious duty have been weeded out, and in their place has come a number of much younger and keener folk. The economics class started off well, but owing to removals and the start of the farming season the attendance fell off at the end. The debating club has put in a year of good work. This club can now be looked on as a permanent adjunct to Ihe movement in this district and performs the useful function of providing an open forum for the public discussion of many current problems of everyday life.

Rural Areas. “The Te Kowhai class—ever a bright spot—was brighter than ever this year. Owing to the paucity of attendance at Whatawhata, the previous y r ear the class there decided to throw in their lot with the Te Kowhai people, five miles away. The keenness of some may be gauged from the fact that some travelled ten miles to be present in many cases in weather of a most wintry character. The subject discussed was ‘Current Problems in International Affairs.’ “Newstead was a new centre, as were Te Rore and Te Pahu, in all of which places the subject was ‘.Modern Drama.’ On the concluding night in each centre there were over GO present. At Newstead and Puahue the group kept together and read plays throughout the winter. “A new centre was commenced al Morrinsville, where an enthusiastic class discussed ‘Current New Zealand Affairs.’ This class again was largely.supported by farmers who came in from miles around. Lectures were also given at several other places, such as Te Puninga, Matamata, and Te Aroiia, a class being conducted at the latter place. In each place the request was for a course next year.

Public Recognition. “In Hamilton there is a B grade xvireless station from which, through the courtesy of the proprietor, Mr G. S. Anchor,' weekly talks were given by the tutor-organiser on ‘World Affairs to-day.’ Some six visits were made to the Waikeria Borstal Institute by Ihe tutor-organiser, when lectures on a variety of topics were delivered. The present year has been most difficult, due solely to the prevailing depression, which is very seriously affecting the Waikato. However, it is gratifying to record a steady growth of support from public bodies. The Hamilton Borough Council increased its grant from £5 to £lO because of the value of the work to the community (passed unanimously). The Morrinsville Borough Council and Waipa. County Council supported us for the first time. Special mention should he made of the support of the farmers through their Union. The sub-provincial executive increased its donation from £3 to £5 and donations came from a similar source at Morrinsville and Te Awamutu. Despite this the support of the individual public lias fallen almost to zero so that

we are faced with a drop of 50 percent. on last year’s donations. This is a serious feature; as failing finance we must curtail our work next year, which would be disastrous at the present stage.” The report concludes by referring to the active work of the president and the success of the annual dinner. The box scheme operating in Hamilton, Tauinarunui, Raglan, Te Aroha, Pularuru, Rotorua, Tauranga, Whakatane and Paeroa had proved very beneficial, “in conclusion it is sufficient to say that the prospects are very bright," adds the report. “The experiment in intensive work has been more than justified in that there are nine centres within a radius of 20 miles. Steady advance may be looked for in the future both in the area served and in the number of classes held.”

Tutor Problems The question of engaging outside tutors was raised, the president pointing out the great difficulties under which the present tutor-organ-iser was labouring. Mr C. C. Tidmarsh remarked that the demand for lectures all over the district appeared to be outgrowing the capacity of one tutor, who was already overworked. The advisability of enlisting suitable men to assist the tutor-organiser should be considered. Mr Stephens replied that although the district was enlarging rapidly the finances would not allow the employment of another permanent tutor. Difficulty was also experienced in obtaining the services of qualified assistant tutors in the various centres.

The president remarked that while it was gratifying to know that the W.E.A. lectures and classes were being widely sought it was unfortunate that the financial position would not allow more tutors.' The Hamilton Association would have to carry on to the best of ils ability next year, relying on increasing public support. The matter could be discussed at the Auckland conference next week.

Musical Appreciation.

Mr C. P. Sherley said several people had approached him urging the revival of the musical appreciation class. He brought this forward merely as a suggestion. Mr Prentice reminded the meeting of the fate of all musical societies in Hamilton in the past few, years. He agreed that such a revival would be desirable, but there would be the inevitab’le'falling off in membership and slackening of interest which could be traced in the history of former bodies. Mr de la Mare believed that it was possible that the fact that the musical class was. controlled by the W.E.A. might ensure a healthy life for it. It would be a great educational advance if the W.E.A. identified itself with a musical revival. A committee was appointed to investigate the possibility of forming a musical appreciation class.

New Officers. The election of officers resulted— President, Mr P. A. de la Mare; vicepresident, Mr J. Prentice; hon. secretary, Mr A. H. Ward, The new committee will be elected next year, comprising class delegates and co-opted members., , Warm tributes were paid to the services of Mr Stephens, the tutororganiser, and a hearty vote of thanks to him was passed. , Members also commented eulogistically on the energy and enthusiasm of the retiring secretary, Mr R. H. Page.

! GREAT WORK IN WAIKATO