CHAUTAUQUA.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1920, Page 6

CHAUTAUQUA.

A NEW ZEALAND UNDERTAKING. THE NEW PLYMOUTH SEASON. The memory of last year's Chautauqua season in New Plymouth is still fresh in the minds of those who availed themselves of the privileges afforded on that occasion of hearing the entertainers and the inspiring lecturers who were on thu Now Zealand circuit. And it is safe to say that all those and more are looking forward to the coming of the Chautauqua to New Plymouth again this year. It may te we'll, perhaps, to outline again the origin, aims and development, of the movement for the benefit of any who may still be under the impression that it is a "Yankee scoop." The idea had its genesis amongst holi-day-makers on the shores of Lake Chautauqua, New York State, some 4S years age, who orgfanisfed a hugs summer gathering. Lecturers upon yavioua subjects and from different parts of the ! world spoke to them, and musical artit ta were secured to entertain them. What a splendid, combination of Education and Entertainment! The meetings were a great success. The event became an annual institution. Chautauqua was born. DEVELOPMENT OF CHAUTAUQUA. Citizens in other centres throughout America established similar meetings in their towns, which they called "Chautauqua" from the name of the parent organisation. The movement grew steadily, hut slowly &t first, for the centres, acting independently of each other, lacked unity of purpose- Then the Chautauqua centres were linked together into a circuit, each centre taking the same programme and co-operating with dates. With this organisation, the movement spread from a few hundred assemblies to many thousands throughout Canada and the United States. The aim of Chautauqua is to establish a platform whereby vital questions may be discussed by distinguished speakers in a non-partislm and non-peetmrian manner, and to combine these discourses in a happy way with music and highclass entertainment. It is a twentieth century assembly, featuring intellect, art, music, oratory and entertainment of the better sort. It aims to be broadly educational without being academic, and to level prejudice in school, church, state and society by creating mutual confidence for all social progress. It solves the problem of clean, -vholesome public entertainment at a minimum cost on a democratic basis. In fact, Chftwtauqua is an international movement towards world democracy expressed in the fellowship of mutual 'servicj emulating the highest aspirations of mankind in every avenue of expressive endeavor. HOW IS IT FINANCED? Chautauqua is financed by publicspirited citizens or organisations who guarantee the financial success of a circuit of towns, and other public-spirited citizens in the towns to be visited assume a portion of the financial risk of the expense of the Chautauqua assembly in their particular town. It was agreed that the fiii'incial responsibility in establishing Chautauqua in new territory would be n';t.med entirely by the reserve fund of f.He American Chautauquas by loans to the various I Associations throughout the >irorld until they are strong enough to support themselves. Citizens from various pans or the Dominion of New Zealand, at the suggestion of a representative of the i American Chautauquas. formed thomI selves into an Association having for its ! purpose the introduction and developj ment of Chautauqua. The Association is registered in New Zealand under "The Incorporated Societies Act, 1008," as it is not established for the purpose of pecuniary pain. Anyj one interested nmy become a member ! in accordance with the rules and regulations, From the membership a Council is elected, which carries on the operations of the Chautauquas. At present the Council consists of Miss Helen Car- I son, the Hon- George Fowlds, Mr. W. J. Napier, Mr. Mark Cohen, and Mr. 31. E. Paget. Mr. Paget, who was formerly assistant manager of the Dominion .Chautauquas of Canada, has been secured as Director of the local Association, and lids opened the Association's registered office at Auckland. WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? Chautauquas are not operated to make money. The amount that you pay for your season ticket will go towards* paying the expenses of your Chautauqua. Like everything else, it costs money to run Chautauquas, Railroad fares must be paid; equipment must he bought; print.ijigjs no small item; salaries must be paid' to all workers, lecturers and artists, for they arc hired by the Association just as teachers are' hired for your public sohool system. If any money is left after these bill? are paid, it will go solely towards promoting.the objects of the Association—that of" bettering and strengthening Chautauqua, from year to year. No individual or firm will receive one penny profit. In accordw> with the Act under which the Association is registered, the accounts of the Association are furnished to the Government each year, and any member committing a breach of the Act by not applying all money towards promoting the objects Of the Association is subject to a heavy penalty. The New Plymouth session opens on March 19, and continues to the 2Sth inclusive. There will be afternoon and evening sessions each day and no two programmes are alike. Full particulars will appear in the local 'Press.