ESPERANTO

Shannon News, 7 May 1926, Page 4

ESPERANTO

THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE Since the acceptance of Esperanto by many important organisations of the world —moqt notably by the International Radio Association and tcrnational Telegraph Union—it is considered by thos e connected with the movement that this international language is now established and sare beyond further opposition; ancl that the future of Esperanto is assured. Esperanto jburnals and newspapers are unanimous in the opinion that the “fight” is over, and that future activities will consist of disseminating and furthering the advantages of the language; not in defending it, as previously, against t.h 0 attacks of opponents, the question of wheither Esperanto will be consigned to the fate of previously so-called international languages is decisively answered in the negative. All other competitve languages claiming the nam e of “international’ ’have been definitely conquered or outlived, with the result that Esperanto now marches onward unhampered by such millstones. Ido, an incomplete, artificial language which has never progressed, was tne last to suffer defeat, which (took place at the conference of the International Telegraph Union held in Paris last year. ' The conference of the chambers m commerce of the world, held in Venice three years ago, firmly estaniished Esperanto in the commercial world and amply demonstrated tne u'/tility of the language for commerce. Following the Venice conference, .school teachers representing 30 countries conferred in Geneva, and decided. that Esperanto was tlie omy language suitable for and worthy of inroduction into the schools of the world, to be taught as the International language. To date, 17 world’s congresses of Esperanto have been arranged. The eighteenth will take, place in Edinburgh during August of this year. The congresses, which are usually attended by 3000 to 4000 delegates from 40 countries .expend over « period of eight days, during which Esjeranto is the only language usea by the many branches of the congresses, including the churches ana. the theatres.

Recognising that Esperanto, radio, and telegraphy are closely connected, Esperanstists have concentrated on pushing the language through these two last mimed channels. Success has crowned their laudable efforts. In telegraphy Esperanto is now a clear language, and enjoys the same privileges as are extended to national languages, while radio lias accepten Esperanto as the language for radio telegraphy and telephony. To-day, broadcasts arc made in every country, New Zealand included. The frequency of these broadcasts varies from daily to fortnightly, and the programmer) consist of matter of an educative, infcrmajtive and entertaining character. The principal radio station of tne world (at Geneva) is owned by Esperantists. This, station, which is much stronger tlian the Eiffel Tower station, is operating day and night. Regular broadcasts are made rrom Melbourne and Sydney, and from Gisborne (N.Z.). All , wireless enthusiasts would be well advised to acquire a Avorking knowledge of Esperanto, for < without it full radio advantages cannot be enjoyed and appreciated. Esperanto progresses satisfactorily throughout ‘New Zealand ,and Esperantists in this country have\ good reason to be contented with the position of th c movement here. The Press, recognising the importance of Esperanto not only in journalism, but in other big sections of world activity assists to an appreciable extent, with the result that the language receives a great impetus from thn/l; direction. Broadcasts continue from New' Zealand radio station, and arrangements arc being made with the companies of two other stations. Clubs are found in Dargaville, Auckland (2), Feilding, Palmerston North, Gisborne, and Dunedin. The Feilding and Palmerston Noijth clug.4 are comare comprised of 30 and 25 members presented at the Fifth Australian and Non Zealand Esperanto Congress held in Melbourne last Easter. No difficulty was experienced In conversing with and understanding foreign delegates, several of whom had taken active parts in large European congresses.. From this it will be garnered that New Zealanders can acquire a knowledge of Esperanto at their own firesides ,and in. so doing rest assured .that the' language l hey acquire is identical with .that learned in all corners of thc world.