THE W.E.A,

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20523, 13 June 1938, Page 9

THE W.E.A,

WORK IN WAIKATO RENEWED INTEREST SHOWN COURSES FOR THIS SEASON The Workers' Educational Association (W.E.A.) was well-known In the Waikato a few years ago. A series of tutor-organisers, stationed in Hamilton, Conducted popular classes In economics, history and literature In half a dozen centres. Depression “economies,** however, removed the tutor-organiser, and W.E.A. activities languished. Only a drama group carried on the name. This year the W.E.A. has been able to plan wider country work. Although It is impossible to send lecturers regularly to country towns, to act as tutors for W.E.A. groups, the box and discussion courses serve very well as lectures without a lecturer. The box courses deal mainly with music, painting, drama and literature. The group receives each week a box containing sixteen copies of a lecture, together with gramophone records, pictures, books, sets of plays and so on. bearing on the subject; the box I* sent on from one group in a circuit to another. Discussion Courses The discussion courses consist only of lectures. Members of a group receive cyclo-stylcd lectures which become their own property. Questions for discussion are appended to the lectures, and the group appoints one of its members to report to the tutor in Auckland its Undines on these questions. By correspondence (and by visits from a tutor whenever possible, comment and criticism on these reports is sent to the group. There are ten courses available this year. "The Approach to Economics” considers the structure and development both of capitalism and of Soviet planned economy,» with special reference to the causes of depressions and crises. “International Issues” is new and up-to-date course. In which four writers discuss from varying points of view the forces In the Pacific, the Mediterranean and elsewhere which seem to be threatening world war. “The Labour Movement In New Zealand” is a pioneer attempt, In which writers of differing views have taken part, to describe and analyse the principles on which the Labour Party and trade unions in New Zealand ha\e been built. “Life Under Bolshevism and Fascism,” another new course, compares conditions of life and work of the people In Italy, Germany and Russia to-day. Boclal Conditions “Literature and Social Change,” written by Professor Sewell and deacribed as "an approach to politics through literature,” discusses the work of many masters of literature in relation to the social and economic condit’ons In which they lived and wrote. "Man's Place In Nature” is a new course in biology, concerned •specially with the problem of the power of man to mould his own life and the future of the race. “New Zealand To-day and To-morrow" is the work of eleven different writers, w-ho provide Information and opinions on the main social and economic questions which arouse debate at the present time. "Plan or No Plan” is an adaptation of a famous series of London broadcasts. In which experts In various fields are questioned on the contributions they have to offer on the problems of present-day society. “Farming Problems” is a technical course, written by the stafT of the Canterbury Agricultural College, designed to enable practical farmers to discuss such questions as soil fertility. pastures, farm shelter, farm pests and so on. Finally, “Understanding Human Nature" is nn elementary course In psychology, dealing with the way the human mind works and with the dangers of “crooked thinking.” In several townships in the Waikato—such as Baglan. Orini, Waerenga. Arapuni—groups arc already taking W.E.A. discussion courses. In Hamilton itself the Labour Party branch has formed a W.E.A. group to study "The Labour Movement in New Zealand.” But Hamilton is big enough to maintain many groups. The Waikato W.E v advisory committee remained In existence throughout the "lean” years. Its president Is Mr F. A. de la Mare, and its secretary Mr S. N. Ziman.