ESPERANTO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1940, Page 5

ESPERANTO

MASTERTON CLUB MEETING. The weekly meeting of the Masterton Esperanto Club was held last evening, Mr A. G. Wiltshire presiding over a good attendance of members. After fcrmal business had been dealt with, an elementary and advanced class devoted an hour to the further study of Esperanto syntax, good progress being subsequently reported. In an interesting talk in the interna - tional language the secretary, Mr W. H. King, furnished an outline of ’.he present state of the Esperanto movement in various countries of the world. He said that notwithstanding the war conditions prevailing in many lands, the movement, which essentially is a peace movement, is functioning satisfactorily. In neutral countries, Esperantists were striving to offset the setbacks in some belligerent lands. In this connection, the Americas, Yugoslavia. Hungary, Switzerland and Sweden were particularly active. In Britain, the various organisations, including the International Esperanto League, were carrying on. although their activities were necessarily curtailed in view of the war situation. Up to the time of the German occupation of France, Esperanto was being increasingly taught in French schools and educational institutions, but the future position, owing to later events, is now uncertain. Japan is preparing for the 28th Japanese Esperanto Congress. and in America considerable success has been gained in introducing Esperanto into film productions. Esperanto had passed through the previous war. Mr King said, and the movement undoubtedly would outlive, although it was retarded meanwhile. Hie present hostilities and thereafter play their part in the formation of the ■ new world order." which is expected to evolve from the war.