W.E.A. LECTURE

Southland Times, Issue 21093, 27 May 1930, Page 4

W.E.A. LECTURE

PACIFIC RELATIONS. AN INSTRUCTIVE ADDRESS. The W.E.A. class met last evening at the Y.M.C.A. Rooms. Before the regular lecture commenced the chairman, Mr I. L. Petrie, introduced Mr. Howie, of Dunedin, who is secretary of the Students* Christian Movement, a branch of which is intended to be established in this city. Mr Howie addressed the class on the organization in question and referred to the benefits to be derived therefrom.

Mr A. G. Butchers then opened his new series of lectures on the problems of the Pacific, and gave a most interesting account of the work of the Institute of Pacific Relations, which is located at Honolulu. Branches of this institute, continued the lecturer, were organized in most Pacific countries. The president of the New Zealand branch was Sir James Allen and the honorary secretary, Dr. G. H. Scholfield, Parliamentary Librarian. The monthly' journal, Pacific Affairs, which was the best informed magazine upon such topics, was in the Invercargill Public Library. Prominent New Zealanders engaged upon the staff of the institute at Honolulu included Dr. J. B. Condliffe and Mr W. F. Keesing. Mr Butchers described at some length an important project at present being undertaken for the scientific study of Pacific problems and made reference to the Kyoto Conference at which a number of New Zealanders attended.

An interesting discussion followed. The second lecture of the series will be given at 7.30 p.m. next Monday.