FITTER NATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 12

FITTER NATION.

COMING ACTIVITIES. CO-OPERATION NECESSARY. MINISTER MAXES APPEAL. Full co-operation by teacher# and scholars will be necemary to make next month's physical fitness activities a success, it was stated by the Minister of Health and Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, to-day. The Minister said he wa« looking forward to seeing the work in "Fitness Week," particularly that phase •which would be carried out by the school*. He realised, juet as the Mini«ter of Internal Affair#, the Hon. W. E. Parry, did, that the time for preparation was fairly short. He' believed this would require concentrated effort for a short period, but the results, no doubt, could be just as good. Although public displays by the schools would not be easy, MrFraser was sure that good work along "health and fitneus" lines could be carried out by the teachers. February was the month specially set aside for. wider activities, such as health and recreational instruction, in the schools. "It is very desirable, and indeed necessary," he continued, "that all teachers and scholars should co-operate fully. I trust that all schools will throw open their playgrounds and swimming baths so that they may be available for games and swimming wherever and whenever required. "The problem of accommodation for the teaching of swimming is particularly pressing and needs the fullest co-opera-tion and help of the educational and other authorities possessing and controlling swimming baths. "A Great Service." "I am convinced that my colleague, Mr. Parry, has done a great service in envisaging, and then implementing, the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act. The community, as the years go by, will realise this more and more, for the benefits must be far-reaching among our people, particularly the young. "It is pleasing to know that in Auckland those actively interested in sport and recreation throughout the whole metropolitan area have united and pledged themselves to carry the 'Fitness Week' into effect. "The learn-to-ewim campaign, involving the service# of 1000 voluntary instructors, will endeavour to make 73,000 more New Zealand children safe j in the water. The Government fullv j appreciates the splendid assistance- of I the members of the voluntary swimming and life-saving bodies, as well as of the various educational authorities, including school committee#, and the teaching profession."