W.E.A. Talks

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 40, 15 April 1932, Page 5

W.E.A. Talks

Association’s Aims "PE introductor series of talks offered by the Otago W.E.A. from 4YA. will deal with The Crisis (Mr. Liéyd

Ross) and with Russia

(Dr.

A. G.

B. Fisher

Before outlining the topics which it is proposed to discuss, a word should however be said as to the. purpose of the association in organising this part ot its work. The basic principle upon which the association is built is a profound belief in the urgent necessity in the modern world for men and women with educated minds, minds trained to evaluate evidence, to consider problems free from prejudice-or, if this is ‘thought too much to expect of human nature, to be conscious of the prejudices which affect their judgment, and to take long views of the results of human action. . A little knowledge, it is true, is a dangerous thing, but it is not hearly so . dangerous as no knowledge at all, and the world’s sufferings to-day are largely the result of the fact that so many people are unable to distinguish prejudices from rational judgments, unable to take long views, unable to look into the future and develop a line of action suitable to deal with the problems which may confidently be expected to arise in the future. Instead we usually wait till the problems have arisen, and naturally in our feverish search for remedies, we not infrequently have to be content with something that is only fifth or sixth-rate. With this objective before us, we have concentrated mainly on the formation of classes which meet together regularly for study and discussion. Obviously many people are unable to attend such classes, and we have therefore arranged as well correspondence courses, and now propose to broadcast regularly over the air material which we are confident will be useful as the foundation for thought and discussion. The W.E.A. library is available for listeners-in, and we shall be glad to help with advice on reading any who wish to probe more deeply into the subJects of our discussions. In similar activities in Great Britain, it has also been found an advantage for listeners to form local circles where discussions of the talks can be organised immediately after the talks have een heard. We shall be glad to hear rom listeners who wish to form such circles, and will endeavour to keep in touch with them through correspondence or through the loan of literature. specially in dealing with subjects of wide interest, it is not always easy to know beforehand exactly what aspects are most likely to arouse discussion and provoke thought. In this connection, too, we should be glad to have the co-operation of listeners,