NO COMPULSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 255, 27 October 1937, Page 10

NO COMPULSION.

LOCAL BODIES' PART.

FULL CO-OPERATION SOUGHT.

«BILL LONG "OVERDUE." (Bjr Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. In explaining the Physical Welfare and Recreation Bill the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, said the measure was important, particularly in view of the movement the world over in regard to physical fitness. It was not claimed that the bill was perfect, but it gave a foundation for putting the machinery into operation. He emphasised the point that the ten persons to be appointed by the Minister would not have any representative ties. Individuals would be selected whose expert knowledge, experience and general outlook indicated that they would be va.lua.ble members of the council.

The Minister said that tome people were of the opinion that the bill' was long overdue. It wae not a measure designed to create champions, but to create conditions to make the people physically tit. In reply to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, the Minister said local bodies would be able to raise money for purposes outlined in the bill without taking a poll of the ratepayers. For instance, if a town wanted a ewitnming bath it would be able to get one. The Government was embarking tipon something that was new and had to be careful about the steps that were taken. It had been no light task to go as far as was proposed under the measure. No Compulsion. Mr. S. ('.. Holland (National, Christchurch Xorth): Jβ there any compulsion? The Minister said there had never been any intention of compulsion. Mr. S. G. Smith (National, New Plymouth) asked where the money was coming from. Wore the local bodies expected to find the finance 'I The Minister said that the local bodies had the jtower now to do practically all the things that the bill provided for. The bill was fashioned largely on the lines of the English Act, but it was not necessary to lake the same powers as local bodies in England did not have the same powers as those in Xew Zealand. In conclusion the Minister said the bill gave the necessary authority to the local bodies to really do the job or to assist to put into operation powers they already possessed. ''All we ask is the co-operation of the local bodies," he added. '"I think it is a fair thing to ask that. Money will be appropriated to assist them in doing this work. We are not asking for power to do anything more than is being done in other countries, especially in England."