ESPERANTO CONGRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 1, 3 January 1939, Page 4

ESPERANTO CONGRESS

CONCLUDING SESSIONS

INTERESTING MEETINGS

The ninth annual congress of the New 'Zealand Esperanto Association concluded yesterday. Mr. Bertram Potts, Dominion president, speaking on Saturday afternoon, expressed , the view that Esperanto could look forward with confidence to the time when Esperanto would be part of the ordinary curriculum of the schools of the civilised world. The annual report presented by Mr. William H. King,! D.8.E.A., secretary of the association, stated that twelve Esperanto clubs were operating in the Dominion. Esperanto was being taught in several schools. Special mention was made of the course at the Teachers' Training College, Wellington, under the direction of Mr. Antoii Ij[. Vogt. During the year new clubs had been formed in several places. It was decided that the tenth New Zealand bEsperanto Congress would take place in Wellington. A great part of the deliberation of the congress was carried out in Esperanto, because, of the presence of Esperantists from, abroad. Distinguished visitors from overseas included Mr. Joseph Major, of Hungary. Monsieur A. E. Lanti, of France, and Herr W. Turowski, of Germany. x On Sunday morning members of the \> lnternational. .Esperanto League met; Mr. J. H. Thomas was in the chair. Mr. Vernon J. Leek, D.8.E.A., chief delegate of the league in New Zealand, gave a summary of'the ramifications of thev!JE.L. and of the developments in New Zealand. Members and officials were situated in all parts [of the country, he said, and every week | were being called -upon by oversea;* i bodies to supply information and renjder assistance of,all kinds, "With 22 delegates in New Zealand alone," said 'Mr. Leek, "we can claim to have the greatest consular service in the world." 'y'' • y." -In the afternoon a trip was made around the bays in special buses and a running commentary was given in Esperanto for the benefit, of visitors. In the evening the lecturettes session was well attended. Addresses were delivered by prominent speakers on subjects of their own choice. Mr. Vernon J. Leek spoke oh "The Pure Evolution of Our Language." The next speaker was Monsieur E. -Lanti, French author, and founder of the Sennacieca Asocio Tutmonda, who spoke on "The Idealism of Esperanto," describing the humanitarian ideals of the Esperanto movement. Mr. Vogt spoke on "The Need for Progress," specially referring to the struggle of feminism for self-expression. The concluding lecture was given by Mr. Joseph Major, of Hungary, on "The Blue Danube." He described many inj teresting amd little known aspects of Hungarian life and its kaleidoscopic features. During* this interesting session musical items were given by Messrs. Nelson Hill and Frank Bailey. The evening concluded with community, singing under the leadership of Mr. Nolan, of the Wanganui Esperanto Society. v y OFFICERS ELECTED. Yesterday morning the congress met . and the following officers were elected fo£, 1939:—President, Mr. B. Potts (Wellington); vice-presidents, Messrs. G. W.Parkyn (Dunedin), E. A. Watr kin (Wanganui), W. H. King (Masterton) ,-■ H-. W. Thorns (Auckland); hoii. treasurer, Mr. F r A. .Bailey (Wellington); 'joint secretaries, Messrs. J. Major (Wellington), D. Kirk (Wellington), J. Allan . (Wellington); hon. auditor, Mr. D. L. Irwin (Wellington). Arrangements were made for NewZealand to be represented at the thirty-first Esperanto world congress, to take, place in Berne;; Switzerland, next iAt^gust, when over 2000 Es T perantists will meet from all parts of the civilised world to discuss the furthering of the ihterhational auxiliary language movement. Remits and matters q± general policy were discussed. The deliberations -were continued during' the afternoon, arid many sug-' gestions were submitted relating to education, .Esperanto plays, and general propaganda. The president, :in conclusion, referred to. the international aspect of the congress, which, he said, had. been one of the most outstanding congresses to date.; He was sure that the tenth would be even more successfuL