History of Workers' Educational Associations.

Just twenty-five years ago the W.E.A. was founded in England to carry on the work of Adult Education; the conservative University of Oxford and the radical Trade Union Movement put aside their prejudices and combined to carry the benefits of higher education to all those citizens who were prepared to make the effort to widen their knowledge and their sympathy.

In 1914 the movement was introduced into New Zealand by the late Professor Meredith Atkinson and Mr. Stewart. It has since brought within the scope of its educational efforts thousands of our citizens, urban and rural.

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In 1915 there were 17 classes with 352 students.

In 1928 there were 182 classes with 6,692 students.

The greatest possible freedom is allowed to each class, which selects its own subject of study and times of meeting. Tutors are appointed by the University Councils. The class meets once a week for two hours, the first of which is devoted to the lecture by the tutor and the second to question and discussion by members. Every effort is made to enable students to develop their own thought. Special classes have been formed for railway workers whose hours of work prevent them from attending at the usual hours. By other methods such as the “Box Scheme,” and “Correspondence Groups” endeavours are being made to meet the needs of smaller groups in more remote parts, where it is impossible to provide a tutor.

The classes have been most catholic in their choice of subjects: Literature, Drama, Economics, Psychology, History, Sociology, Public Health, Appreciation of Music, Science, International Relations have all been selected. No one is excluded because the subject of his interest is barred. No men or women can study these subjects without developing their personalities and without developing new interests in life, and without, therefore, increasing their power to direct their own lives aright and to contribute more effectively to the control of social forces.