WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 783, 2 October 1929, Page 4

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

AFTERNOON SESSION OF ANNUAL MEETING DISCUSSION ON ESPERANTO The chief subject for discussion at the afternoon session of the conference of delegates from the Auckland Provincial Federation of Women’s I nstitutes was Esperanto. The speaker, Mrs. E. M. Axford, referred to the language as one which might have definite possibilities in the direction of peace, that having been the objective of the inventor when the language was first launched on the world in 1887. TXT IT II OUT being- prejudiced in ▼ » favour of Esperanto,, some international language was necessary, because the world was becoming- very small on account of different and more speedy means of transit bringing countries into closer contact. Esperanto would not displace national language; rather it would be a second language, as a tool of communication between nations. Greatly in its favour was tho time and labour that would bo saved in the learning- of several languages, it being no uncommon thing to see notices in very large business houses in eight and even 15 different languages. Catalogues are now printed in ten languages where one might be used.

In regard to the question of Esperanto in schools, it had been tried in England with great success. In 1916 and 1917 200 children received instruction in the ordinary curriculum, and after three weeks they could answer questions and translate simple narration. Later, some of these children acted as interpreters at the Chamber of Commerce. A good reason for its adoption in secondary schools was the way it paved for the easy learning of other languages. There are now at least 125 papers printed in Esperanto. Mr. Bernard Martin, representing the "W.E.A., then spoke briefly on the matter, endorsing all Mrs. Axford had said, with tho reservation that while the arguments in its favour certainly applied to those countries which had to contend with an influx of foreigners, this did not apply to New Zealand, as we were placed differently, as people from other countries did not invade New Zealand to any great extent.

I-Ie believed women were to be a. great factor in the attainment of peace, and it would be a good thing for delegates to conferences to know Esperanto. In regard to Esperanto in schools, he thought a second language unnecessary, the school curriculum being overcrowded already. That children should imbibe the spirit of peace was to be desired, but It might be done in some more direct way than in the learning of Esperanto. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mrs. Dudley Norman (re-elected): committee, Mrs. Irwin, Mrs. Isitt, Mrs. Perris, Miss Hopper, Miss G. Cbilwell, Mrs. Reich, Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. Bruton, Mrs. Isitt, Mrs. Reich, Mrs. Robb, Mrs. Wettenhall, Miss Posser, Mrs. Phillips (Albany), Mrs. IV. Taylor, Mrs. Stanley Phillips (Woodhill).