CRYSTALLISED CONSERVATIVES.

Shannon News, 7 March 1922, Page 3

CRYSTALLISED CONSERVATIVES.

AND LABOUR EXTREMISTS OPPOSE W.E.A. At the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the Workers’ Educational Association, the president (Mr Forde) said the classes offered the truest type of university education. He referred to the Senate’s proceedings in Auckland about the association, and strongly -defended the organisation from the aspersions cast on it, especially referring to the good work done by Mr Marsh Roberts in the Manawatu district, and claimed that the manner in which he had conducted his classes was beyond reproach. Referring to the charges made by the Hon. C. J. Parr against Mr Winter, a tutor in Maori lore, the president pointed out that the latter could not be a very dangerous character, as he had been employed for three years during the War in the Defence Department, These men would be the last to rain their own opinions down the throats of their pupils.

Mr Edwards (representing the Chamber of Commerce) dealt with tne meeting of the University Senate m Auckland, and could not understand why Wellington was singled out for disfavour unless on political grounds. There was open hostility by a section of Labour extremists to the classes because they had failed to impress their particular brand of Socialism on the pupils, aiid covert opposition ol crystallised Conservatives, who went about whispering that those interested in the classes had sworn to -confiscate their property and quench their ambitions. The teachers were', .men of courage and- men of ambition,-.and thus bound to create opponents.