Warkers' Education.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 7 May 1918, Page 2

Warkers' Education.

cst'CGli-STJiiD CLASsSJ'jS IN LEVIN. | The Registrar of Victoria Col-lego wrote to ilie Borough Council last even i 11in connection witill' the Workers' Educational Classes, pointing out that the University extension clan ©s in other places had been very successful and I.hat any centre could have classes the annual cost of a tutorial class being £100. ' A deputation conjsi-t.ng of Me:Ur« Broome, McAlisrtor and IS ear waited on the Council i" comneation with inatwr. Mr Broome said he was connected with the Workers' Educational Association i« England- 1 fo'r some time. One jood feature was thai none of the moi.cvs were spent by the- local bodies, but by '':he I'nive-r.sity. A very strict control u'a- kept on students. Tin; classes were not strictly confined to tho so-called working classes, but masters | also took the counses offered. Mr Broome spoke of ',:he great value of l-l.e, classes in -England and of tho extrusion of the work in -the N'ew Zea-_ land.. Speaking of the value of po'"itical economy Mr Broome said it was very" little understood, not merely bv the' worker but by l':lie masters also. Xow that the nations were bonis bnrViied bv heavy diehts it was more tftan • rver nece;--:;ry that knowledge on this .'inject hoir.d be widely diffused. Mr Mc-.Mistcr sa. d that atlhouigh the local Labour Tarty was introducing the- subject it- was entirely nonpolitical. There was no "Bed I'edism" about the matter and tjiey liiad not- got any bombs in their pockets. The clas,us «•< re not only lor the workers but al, o for fcliown "who toiled, not neither .lid ;hey spui." ,[ n reply to Or Parker ill- Broome gave a list of subjects dealt with, which included economics, history, science. Jn 'reply to Cr .Mackenzie, wfbo asked it the so-called Labour -Party would do is best to induce-members to use the clas-es, Mr Broome said in some centres the Labour Party was not in favour of the classes because they exercised a modifying influence on tho socalled revolutionaries. Mr MeAlister sa'ud there was a Labour party in Levin which was primarily formed for educational purposes. Hence their presence there that evening. M.'r explained it might not be possible to form tutorial c.laiises thiis ye«i, but they desired to get. the Association under way. The deputation then retired. Cr Parker said he would 'Like 'time to consider the matter and dlesired further information as to when the tutorial claases would be started and who would control the. funds. Or Bryson sawl' ho was in favour of the classes, bu?'; would like to know assistance was required. Sow much did they expect the Council to give, audi how much did they hope to find themselves. Cr Mackenzie sakl the (classes appeared to be of great value, especially in the- diirec/'iion of breaking down class distinctions.

Cr Ai'tk'pn favoured tho classes, hut the Con net! should, wait for more definite information as to tihe assistance required.

Councillors generally were sympathetic wttli the deputation, but considered the question of granting assistance could wait until the formation of the Association should aij unie more definite shape.