WORKERS' EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2935, 22 November 1916, Page 4

WORKERS' EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

YEAR'S WORK REVIEWED. Tlio Wellington. Centre of the Workers' ■ Educational Association report that during the year it Las been able to extendits activities, and that there is a fruitful field for the work in which it is engaged: For tho last six months tho following University tutorial classes have been carried on in Wellington City, vfz.: ono in economics, with Professor Hunter as tutor; ono in English literature, Mr. W. H. Poster, M.A., being tho tutor; and one in th'o theory of electricity, with Mr. P. W. Burbidgo, M.A., M.Sc, as tutor. In Petone a tutorial class in economics has run a full session, Mr. F. P. Wilson, M.A., being tie tutor, and another class in economics has been carried on for tho full term in Palmersten North, under the tutorship of Mr. B. E. Murphy, MX In Wellington ' City thero have also been two preliminary classes in session during tho year, viz.: oho in English literature for railway workers, with Mr. W. H. Foster, M.A.-, as tutor, and ano.ther in industriailaw, which has studied under tho guidance of Mr. G. G. G. Watson, M.A., LL.B. Further, in Wellington tie association has been able to arrange for two study circles, Professor Hunter leading ono in sociology, and Mr. AV. H. Foster; M.A., leading another in history. ■'..-. Negotiations have .been carried on with representatives of Labour and with educational authorities in AVanganui, New Plymouth, and Hastings, aud the prospects of establishing a class; in the last-named centre are very hopefnl. Altogether, in spite of tho'diffi-' cultics, financial and otherwise, caused by tho war, tho executive of the AVellington Centre is satisfied with the year's work. Members of tho Wellington classes concluded tho sossioiv with a concert and supper at tho Burlington Rooms, Lambton Quay, last Saturday. There was a large attendance of the members of tho classes and tho tutors._ After an entertaining evening, to which Miss M. Nichols, Rev. A. E. Hunt, Mr. F. P. AVilson, and Master Winston M'Carthy contributed, Professor Hunter briefly summed up tho work of tho year, and commented favourably on tho fact that tho association had been able not only to hold its own, but-to extend its operations in tho midst of times which were adverse to educational development. ' This_ had been rendered possiblo by financial support from tho University tho Wellington City Council, and the Palmerston North Borough Council, all of which bodies camo to tho assistance of the association. Tho' Government unfortunately nad not given any grant. Mr. M. J. Reardon, in reply on hehalf of tho class members, expressed thanks for tho work of tho W.E.A. Tho association had succeeded in meeting'the educational needs of adult workers. Tho working man was compelled by law to send his children to school until they reached the Sixth Standard. • In tho average experience of a worker's family tho children were thereafter sent to work to earn more bread for tho family. Tho working boy or girl at that time forgot what he or she had learnt at school, and for a, timo, perhaps, did not care very much for that. Somo years later these young men and young women in many cases came to realise that tho past fow years for them had been lost years, but by that timo they woro probably in steady work, perhaps married, and they were unable to acquiro knowledge easily. He could say emphatically that tho W.E.A. helped such men and women at such a timo, and niado up to a very definite oxtpnt for tho, educational disadvantages under which tho avorago working man and working woman laboured. All Labour leaders, said Mr. Reardon, should encourage tho W.E.A.; and it was a matter for re«ret that representations to the Ministers; of the Crown for assistanco had been refused. 1