WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1949, 8 March 1919, Page 3

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

A public mooting was addressed in the Town Hnll on Thursday evening hy professor Ilunlcr, to set before the public the aims and objects of the Workers’ Kilnenltonal,Association, and to arouse public interest in the cause of education generally. The meeting was held under the auspices of Hie Elaxworkcrs’ Cnion, The Mayor, Mr Chrystall, presided. Professor Hunter said he came as a missionary to place before the public of Ford on the objects of the Association. No democracy could hope for success unless it was founded upon education. Ignorance was (he great enemy in our midst that had to be fought, an enemy which was at the root of all suffering, poverty and vice. There was no more urgent problem than the education of the masses. Tt had been said in the past (hat education was like pouring water info a jug, the man who got the most water' into

the jug wis Hie best educator; but

tliis view ivis now entirely changed, -and they were coming to understand that man was a complex being. The Professor said that five millions could he well spout on education, and this amount could be well afforded by a rich country like our own, and contrasted (he fact that four and a-half millions was yearly expended on drink. The aim eation was to develop individual talent. Tt seemed that the process of education was looked upon in many cases as something disagreeable,

but bo could see no reason why this matter could not bo made most u'C'greeable. It must be convenient and cheap, and the best type of tutors provided. It was (he aim of the W.E.A. to make education to the adult inexpensive. The method of conductin';' the classes was outlined by the speaker, which was that the - classes are under the control of the Tuoiorial Class Committee, a body consisting' of representatives of the W.E.A. and of the University College Council. To constitute a tutor.ial class there must be at least twenty students offering in a sub-

ject, and each student must uuder- „ lake to attend (ho class regularly a period of three years. Tutors of high attainments are appointed to these classes. In the case of the number of students offering falling short of the number

required to form a tutorial class, what are termed preliminary classes will he formed. These are under the immediate control of the W.E.A. Executive, and are intended to meet

the needs of those who for various

reasons are not prepared lo undertake the full course of study pro-

vided in the tutorial classes. Study circles are also arranged for groups of students lo study any selected

subject or branch of a subject. In *Oll the classes one half of the time

is devoted to a free discussion between students and teacher of the work covered by the leacher, that is lo say the teacher lectures for one hour, and during the next hour the class discuss what the teacher has said. Students are also required '“periodically t" write essays on

various aspects of (heir course of study. It is the lulor’s duly to aid any pupil not well versed in English composition, and assist him in expressing his views correctly in liis ossa vs. Each class has access lo a

library of suitable reference books. The (da sses commence operations in

March of each year, and run until (he end of October. The meetings (if most (dasses are bold weekly, but in a: few cases are fort nightly. There arc practically no restriction? on membership. National or local

movements, institutions, societies, or unions may become affiliated on

payment of a minimum annual subscription of one guinea. Individuals may become members on payment of u minimum subscription of 2s (Id. The Association provides the widest possible scope of sludy; in lad, if a body of students desire to study any particular subject in which suitable tuition is not already available, the Association will endeavour to provide a tutor for such subject. The purpose of the W.E.A. was not to make tradesmen, but to widen the individual's views and

make him a better citizen by giving Jiim independent thought and 'sounder judgment. The Government

has given no direct support to the movement, hut allows a L for £ subsidy on all moneys allotted by local authorities for fids work. The Professor said he Imped all local bodies would see the value of this movement in point of Hew ot progress, and will help the finances. The subject of the Workers’ Educational Association was specially worthy of consideration because those not previously able to afford education could 'not now do without it. The Professor was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address, the Mayor expressing his pleasure at being afforded the opportunity of listening to the discourse which set out the details of such an important movement. As there were no questions that • t he audience cfesired to ask, it was nested that a preliminary commiUee should lie set up to take the inilia, steps in forming ■.ranch of the Association, the Mayor and Messrs Dr. Mu mil, Alexander Eurrie and Rowlatt. The proceedings closed with the singing 0 f the National Anthem.