LIFE-SAVERS' POWERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 14, 17 January 1940, Page 6

LIFE-SAVERS' POWERS.

Your article reporting the decision ef the Minister of Internal Affairs <m the request of the Piha Chjb'for authority to control -bathing on their beach eeeins to call for further elucidation. A» a general rule surf clubs always have for active members depended very largely on single men of such outlook that they sacrifice most of their -weekends m<l holidays" to the sometimes tedious routiue of beach patrol and etand-ty duty, and it is this self-same healthy outlook that so seriously depletes the ranks of these clubs when nation*! emei;»g>ncy requires, men for the colour*. It would hi difficult to refute that tjie main problem for surf clubs to-day is how to maintain their customary standard of voluntary service, and tirtt they are in no position now to undertake or maintain the degree of control of -beaches that has been asked for. With still a keen appreciation of the thrills of surfboard riding I am to-day more mindful of the possible effect of spills on inshore bathers. The surf life, saving movement holds a creditable position with other voluntary organisations performing humanitarian and community service, and aspirations to arbitrary authority that may lead to irksome restrictions are contrary to the basic motives behind the movement. Most of our present troubles seem to centre round the use and abuse of dictatorship principles.

ACTIVE MEMBER, 1911.