THE HON. G. W. RUSSELL.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14369, 31 May 1912, Page 10

THE HON. G. W. RUSSELL.

SWIM MIXG AvSSOCIATION

A <{cputntion from the New Zealand >Swimming Association waited on ' the ■ Hon. G. W. Ihissell yesterday, with ' a request that the sum of £301), •.>lae.od on the Estimates last October for iho fostering of. swimming, should be placed at tho disiwsal of the Association. The deputation consisted of Messrs 0. .Reese, K. Bassett and X. Goldsbury. ■ < ' . '

Mr Baasett said that although the t mount had been authorised it had not yomo to hand .on March 31st, as was usual. Tho Association was doing cxrellont work, and last year had given 14.80 long distance cortiicates for long<Ji«tancb swimming' among schoor children, as against 1100 in the previous year. The Association had spent money this year in anticipation of tho renewal of the jjrant. .

In reply to the Minister, Mr llas'sett said that the total,sum of £300 was halved, one-half going to tho life-saving societies, which' Turn affiliated with tho Association, and the other half going to tho ewnne'titivo .section of tho spoil, through the provincial centres, which expended it largely among theschools.

. The Minister «ikl that Ik- proposed-to. 'nay over at once the ' £300, There .would bo no question about that. As 'to the course to be adopted in the 'future, that would receive careful consideration. I'llt; Government were-not in fa\'nur of straight-out grants, but to hi-lp tho people in pronort:on to the .« ay in which they helped themselves. It the Association, or the public, was prepared to subscribe .so much, ho 'thought that the Government might subscribe. £2 for every £1 so raised. If the Association raiseu £100, the Government tnight contribute £200. That , would enable- the Association to meet the •demands on its funds. . The Association icruild get into communication with the -centres, and suggest that £100 should br* rnised by them, when tho Government vould give a subsidy of £200, on account of the special value the Governmoiit attached to the life-saving advantages of- swimming.. .