VISIT TO HEALTH CAMP

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21377, 21 January 1935, Page 9

VISIT TO HEALTH CAMP

-=-—♦—- fISgPfICnON BY "THE HON. - v J. A. YOUNG TiirE OF WORK RECOGNISED A high opinion of the value of iljc camps organised for children by ike Sunlight League is held by the Minister for Health, the Hon. .J. A. young- Yesterday Mr Young visited the camp which is being held by the lesgi'c at Pigeon Bay, and gfter an inspection he warmly commended the league for its work. Mr Voung intended to visit theleague's ether csmp on the Peninsula, at Okain's Bay Jv;t he had insufficient ijne tf do -'■ Mr Vpuni'. vhn was accompanied fcy his prr".'- re rretary, Mr G. H. p.'xcn. and H-» Under-Secretary for Internal V'Fans. Mr Malcolm frsser, '.va:, i- 1-1 at the entrance to ire camp b: - Mi ur . Cora Wilding, who Ssin char?' 1 <-\ the camp. Miss Wildir.y introduced Mr Eberezer Hay, u/i whose property the camp is being held, to Mr Young. The Minister was then introduced to the children, who greeted him with t special song of welcome. Mr Young snoke informally to the children", remarking on the pleasant surroundings of the camp and the value of such a holiday. He also showed a deep interest in the children's activities, questioning Miss Wilding about many aspects of the camp life. When he left Mr Young was cheered by the children. Valuable Co-operation

Speaking of his impressions of tee camp, Mr Young said it was beiutifully situated at the seaside and wonderfully sheltered by tall trees. The league was very fortunate in having the co-operation of Mr Hay, who had placed buildings and part of his farm at the service of the league for its camp. It was fortunate, too, that the school committee had put the schoolhouse at the league's disposal, thus giving pleasant, airy sleeping quarters for Use girls, while comfortable accommodation for the boys had been provided in Mr Hay's well appointed whare. Miss Wilding arid her assistants need have no fear of harm coming to the children through changes of weather. "The whole site is ideal," said Mr Young, "and the only regret is that jt is so far from Christchurch. There is no question that it is doing excellent work. The experience of the camp is that the children never fail to put on weight, a feature, by the way, of all these health camps throughout New Zealand. That, I think, is proof of the wholesome effect of the work the league is doing. The happy appearance of the children fully compensates for the work that is done to assist these camps.

"The camps not only help the children to recuperate, but teach them the value of habits of a domestic discipline," Mr Young continued. 'They also teach them the elementary laws of health. This is of value, for when they return horns they have a desire to enjoy as much as they can of the fresh air and sunshine. They also have learned the benefit of plain diet which is so important to growing children. Not a few children in New Zealand and, indeed, in other countries, who suffer from seeming mal-nutritiorj »aie the victims of incorrect diet and habits of feeding, rather than of not having enough food. There is nothing that' contributes more towards the benefit of the child than the correcting of wrong habits of feeding." Routine and Discipline

Mr Young said that regular habiU concerning sleep, bodily cleanliness, and oral hygiene were important. Many children in the cities of New Zealand did not seem to be as robust as they should. Among the causes were irregularity in going to bed, insufficient sleep, and too much excitement. But in a camp such as that at Pigeon Bay the routine and discipline in such matters, with suitable intervals of rest, was invaluable in many instances, for it had made the children understand and appreciate those simple laws of health they had been taught in school but which they might not have understood. . . "As Minister for Health I would ay the citizens of Christchurch are to be congratulated on having such a public-spirited woman as Miss Wilding interested in a movement which is so valuable not only to the health of children but also to. the interests of the whole community," he said. "Her keenness in health' welfare must prove an inspiration to many who are sympathetic and only await the personal enthusiasm of a leader to induce them to help. It 1* gratifying too, to see the willingness with which a number of prefects from several of Christchurch's secondary schools give their services to help in the conduct of the camp.'' Mr Young in conclusion expressed thanks to Mr Hay for placing his valuable property and its appointments at the service of the league. His generosity was very much appreciated, he said, and was an encouragement to those in the city who had interested themselves in promoting and supporting the camps with gifts in kind and with cash.