"SNOBBISH DISTINCTION"

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18238, 24 November 1924, Page 6

"SNOBBISH DISTINCTION"

ABE AIMS OF W.E.A. BEING

DEFEATED ?

(apacuL tS -tas ?aisß.")

WELLINGTON, November 22,

Certain alterations in the constitution of the Workers' Educational Association, the. object of •which, itwas stated, was to weaken, the influence of the trade unions in the movement, were proposed in remits mo<ved at the. District Council Conference last evening. The discussion on the remits was at times inclined to become heated,, thei statement being made by a Wellington delegate that an attempt was being made to kill the W.E.A. Mr J. M. Dale (Wanganui) expressed the opinion that the trades union side> was being . over-emphasised, Mid - as a result'several' organisations which had) formerly supported the movement were being «\lienated. Strong opposition to any alteration that would lessen the influence of the workers was expressed by Mr Dyer (Wellington), who said that the W.E.A. was essentially a working-class movement, and while no one objected to the inclusion of other sections.,- it should be controlled to the fullest extent by the workers.

Mr J. M. Forde (Wellington) characterised the proposals «s an 'attempt to get the whole, control of the movement into,the.hands of the University Council, tlujs'doparting from the established traditions-of the W.E.A-.

After some discussion between Mr Fonje rind Mr A. E. Mander (Palmerston North) as. to the .definition of a worker, Mr R.. L. -Withers objected to the discussion being - pursued •on the lines of-Capital xersus Labour. Mr Dyer said that <in attempt was being made to acliiev© the snobbish distinction of taking a university couree irithout paying the high fees ordinarily required. It was an .attempt to kill the movement.

' Subsequent speakers succeeded . m pouring oil on the troubled waters, and the discussion proceeded on smoother lines.