AFTER THE WAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1917, Page 3

AFTER THE WAR.

LECTURE BY MR. L. F. de Berry. At Greymouth last week Mr. L. F. de Berry M.A., of Hokitika delivered a splendid address on “Post-War Problems’’ to the members of tho Trinity Institute, together with a number of those interested in the working of the institute. The President (Mr. J. F. Wilson) 'occupied the chair. There was a very good attendance and the lecturer was followed with wrapt attention throughout. , The subject which was such a tremendously broad one and of special and vital" was dealt witfi suggestively and the lecturer left abundant food for thought with his auditors. He dwelt at length on- the tremendous problem of the future Government of the British Empire, with emphasis on the respective theories of a federated Empire was advocated by Lionel Curtis, and a slight modification of the present relations between the Mother Country and the Dominions as advocated by Richard Jcbb who is utterly opposed to tho theory, advocated by Curtis. He touched on the future commercial policy of the Empire; tho lack of initiative in the immediate past by tho British traders and people with regard to inventions and the use of new machines being specially noted. Tho enormous output of the average workman in America as compared with the British workman was shown to he due to cue American initiative and to tho wonderful use made of modern inventions in machinery.

The colour problem as it applies to the British Empire, was then touched upon, with a plea that a more sympathetic understanding be applied to what is admittedly a delicate and a difficult problem. The much-debated question of papital and Labour was dealt with from tho broad standpoint that there was a tremendous amount ofrmisundorstanding and ignorance of tlio problem on both sides. No doubt Labour will come into its own, but it will only be after a thorough understanding of tho economic conditions which govern the industrial life of all the nations.

The inauguration of tlio Workmen’s Education Association was a wondeiful advance along the lines of the education of the worker, nnd this movement must undoubtedly play a great part in moulding the future of the various countries of the Empire. The lecturer concluded by a very able and powerful address emphasising the extraordinary fallacies upon . which a great deal of what had heretofore passed muster as education was founded, and lie ougoliscd the wonderful'work now being done in England bv the new Minister of Education, the Hon. H. C. Fisher, whose advanced ideas marked a new era in the education system of the Mother Country.' At the concision of tho address a hearty vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. J. F. Wilson and seconded by Mr. W. Parfitt. After several of

those present had spoken in high appreciation of tho fine address given, tho motion was carried by acclamation.