LEISURE AND SPORT

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22050, 25 March 1937, Page 9

LEISURE AND SPORT

ATTITUDE OF MAYOR OF

WAIMATE

His attitude towards the use of increased leisure with the operation Of the 40-hour week was given in an interview by Mr G. Dash, Mayor of Waimate, when commenting upon the nationalising of sport as proposed by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry). "We have to-day the 40-hour week,* said Mr Dash, "and I think the borough council should review the situation as it concerns those games which have provided, and may provide, recreation for borough residents." In the past the council had sought to give such help and encouragement as seemed necessary and advisable. First the swimming baths had been made free to the public, and then the library subscription had been reduced to a rate of about a penny a week. Many facilities for sport had been provided at Knottingley and Victoria Parks. These included free municipal tennis courts. A ground, Manchester Park, had been secured for football and cricket as a municipal property. "Where is municipal help to recreation to stop?" sa;d Mr Dash. "Why should it stop? With the added recreative hours accompanying the 40-hour week comes an added responsibility to the council. It was long ago decided in Waimate that the borough council is something more than the custodian of roads and water and drainage, and has a duty toward those uplifting forces found in recreation, in social contacts, and clean living. "The council has now to face, broadmindedly, the situation, not only as applying to the relief of a bowling club on a borough property, or assistance to cricket or football, or tennis, but also to the whole field of sport."