PHYSICAL WELFARE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 60, 12 March 1938, Page 13

PHYSICAL WELFARE.

NATIONAL SCHEME. MOVE FORWARD SHORTLY. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Steps will be taken early in the recess to give effect to the legislation passed last session for the setting up of a Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation. Much of the preliminary detail work has been done and the appointment of the council will be made shortlv.

The legislation provides that the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, shall be chairman of the council with the Under Secretary as deputy-chairman. The Director-General of Health and the Director of Education are also to be appointed to the council with one representative of the Naval, Military and Air Forces. The personnel will be completed with the appointment of 10 other persons who will hold office at the pleasure of the Minister.

In an interview to-day the Minister said he was anxious to bring the council into operation as early as possible. Some delay had occurred because of the necessity of preparing other legislation for the present part of the session. Hii work had also been interrupted by his recent visit to Australia. Mr. Parry said there was no difficulty in regard to finance for the preliminary expenses which would be incurred in th« promotion of the council, as an appropriation of £1000 was provided on the supplementary estimates for this purpose. The Minister added that as soon as the council had been appointed it would proceed immediately with a survey of New Zealand's needs. Subsidiary committees would be set up in various districts throughout the country. The preliminary work was well in hand, and when more time was available to him in the recess he would be able to make a definite move forward.