WORKERS’ EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1922, Page 6

WORKERS’ EDUCATION.

THE ASSOCIATION’S AIMS AND OBJECTS. (Contributed.) Many people appear to have a misconception of the aims and method of working of the W.E.A., as the Workers’ Educational Association is generally called. They regard it as an organisation to stir up strife between employer and employee. The employer sees in it an attempt to make Jack better than his master; the employee an effort to deprive him of the rights to which he is justly due. Some are utterly opposed to it, because they con- : sider it futile to attempt to teach univeristy subjects in their youth. They fail io recognise that there is such a thing as educating “for living,” as distinguished from the “getting of a living, for life rather than for a livelihood.” The aim of the classes is, by means of university subjects, treated from a cultural rather than from a commercial point of view, to broaden the outlook of the individual and to teach him to take an intelligent interest in what is happening around him, and, most of all, to teach him how’ to employ his time so that he may get the fullest enjoyment out of life. This movement was introduced from England about seven years ago, and three years ago classes were commenced in New ..Plymouth. At first the classes were very successful, but last year the work was carried on under great difficulty. This year, however, owing to an organised canvass of the town, a revival of interest has taken place, and the outlook is distinctly promising. Over forty students have enrolled, or have signified their intention of enrolling, and the services of Mr. W. H. Bottrill, M.A., have been secured as lecturer. Next Thursday evening a start is to be made in the Technical College.

The following have either given donations or have promised them to the fund required to be guaranteed before the Government subsidy can be secured. Messrs. Robertshaw, Dinniss, Watson, Croker, Burgess, Fraser, W. and A. Ambury, Thos. Avery, Weston and Billing, 0. Johnson, G. H. Dolby, G. R. Weir, C. B. S. Russell, G. T. Langley, Eyre, H. Mason, H. Crocker, P. S. Stainton, W. C. Weston, Employers’ Association, Melbourne ClothCompany, Chamber of Commerce, Workers’ Council, P. and T. Association, and the Welfare League. The secretary (Mr. O. Johnson) will be pleased to receive further donations which may be left at the News office.