BENEFITS OF TRAINING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23318, 2 May 1941, Page 6

BENEFITS OF TRAINING

■ r i •*•*—* , MINISTER REVIEWS ACTIVITIES

HOME GUARD AND WOMEN’S AUXILIARY

Reports of the physical welfare Officers id the Dominion shoW a wide : range of satisfactory progress, according to s Statement issued by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry), He said that the principal work continued to be the training of instructors 1 for units of the Home Guard and Women’s War Service Auxiliary, but that officers had gladly and efficiently helped to •organising end promoting various recreational projects Whenever .they were able to spare time for such purposes. “In each of three large districts (Auckland, the Central area of the North Island, and Wellington),.” said the Minister, “the total, of instructors trained by the department’s officers is about 400, Who are now qualified to tram classes of Home Guardsmen—a total of many thousands. Proportionate progress is being made in other districts.

“Usually the officers receive much helpful co-operation from people who recognise readily the great national value of the training scheme. In eases where any doubt exists, a demonstration quickly changes the negative or hesitant attitude. “Numbers of Home Guardsmen, who have keenly appreciated the benefit of weekly trainirr classes, are asking for more. Therefore, in some localities, the matter Of keep-fit lunch hour recreative exercises is receiving attention. „ •., “Remarkable enthusiasm has been shown by many Home Guardsmen in country districts; Some have travelled more than 4fl miles to attend classes, and several of the long journeys have required the fording of flooded rivers by mounted men. Keereatton Clubs "It is anticipated that, as time goes on, large numbers of the Home Guard classes will evolve into recreation clubs. Already the Palmerston North class has formed itself tote a recreation club, with a membership of 75, whose ages range from 17 to 63 years. The club has set itself the task of providing recreation equipment which may be used immediately for Home Guard purposes'in the city, but Will remain tod property Of the club. •In several districts a start has been made wim preparations for extending the physical training activities to Units of the Emergency Precautions Scheme, “The ‘keep-fiV Classes for the Wo- ! men’s War Service Auxiliary are going along excellently in all districts where the department has women officers. For this purpose classes of recreation leaders are being trained at local points, so that the benefits of the department’s scheme can be spread as widely as possible, "Keep-fit Exercises” “An interesting incident is reported ■from a town in the Bay of Plenty area. At first very few women were inclined to join up with the Women’s War Service Auxiliary. Then an energetic member of the local committee suggested the starting of ‘keep-fit’ exercises first Eighty women .quickly responded, but they had to 30m the auxiliary before they could take the physical course, , ‘The department s recreation card, scheme hr proving helpful An the recruiting of' new members for various Sports bodies, which have expressed Warm appreciation of this'enterprise. It is plainly evident that the department’s range of operations will prove increasingly beneficial in.this field. To assist the department to achieve its Ideals, the formation .of _ a Dominion Federation of Sports Bodies is how in prowess, Eventually the .department s Services will make- a helpful Widespread liaison Between schools and the sport&feodiesj” ~ >