W.E.A. STUDENTS’ SUCCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 987, 2 June 1930, Page 12

W.E.A. STUDENTS’ SUCCESS

RECORD OF HARD WORK A further triumph for W.E.A. effort has been achieved by Air. J. O. Shearer, who has just received word that he has been awarded a Laura Bpelman research fellowship under the Rockefeller Foundation. This will enable him to proceed abroad for further economic research.

Mr. .T. O. Shearer took up his W.E.A. bursary at Auckland University College in 192 4 at the age of 30. He gained his B.A. degree at the end of 1927. taking the senior scholarship in economics (i.c.. first place in New Zealand in the third-year stage). At the end of 192 ft he took first-class lioncurs in economics with a thesis on •‘Monopoly Control in New Zealand.” Mr. Shearer’s career, in addition to its success, has been an exhibition of courage and pluck. While studying for B.A. he obtained temporary work as a caretaker with the exception of two months during 1928, when he took the place of the professor of history at Auckland University while the professor of history was ill. Shortly after this he received an appointment as assistant to the professor of economics, and in that position has been coaching advanced and honours students during the past two years. Quite apart from his academic work, Air. Shearer has taken an exceptionally keen interest in the W.E.A., his work on the various committees of the association showing a judgment and force of character which has been of great assistance to the movement. He has taken W.E.A. classes at various times, including the City International Relations class, which he took over for a year immediately after Air. L. A. Alander’s departure. He is one of the vice-presidents of the W.E.A. for 1930.