Drownings Down Again; Further Drop Sought

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30558, 29 September 1964, Page 11

Drownings Down Again; Further Drop Sought

In spite of declines in the number of drownings in New Zealand in two successive years, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) is convinced that more can be done to reduce the toll still further.

In the 12 months ended March 31, 1964, 113 persons drowned, compared with 117 in 1962-3, and 122 during the previous year. The proportion of drownings per million of population fell correspondingly. In 1961-2 it was 49.7, in 1962-3 it was 46.4 and this year 44.4, the lowest ever achieved. “This is attributable to continuous efforts of a number of organisations and individuals whose campaigns for water safety has brought gratifying results,” said Mr Seath. “At the same time, there is no room for complacency. The National Water Safety Committee’s campaign for the coming year is already under way. The Royal Life-saving Society, the Surf Life-saving Association, the Amateur Swimming Association and others, including the newspapers and radio, will all be playing their part in educating the public in all aspects of water safety. In spite of these efforts, we are confronted with the frightening thought that probably more than 100 persons will drown in the next 12 months. “Three categories—boating,

children under five, and bathing—continue to head the list of drownings. The elementary precautions that can and should be taken to safeguard against these drownings are widely publicised. Many persons heed this advice, but not everyone does. “Organisations whose concern is the prevention of drowning are doing what they can. The next step is public awareness of the hazards that confront everyone who goes on, in, or near water.. “When everybody faces up to his responsibilities in safeguarding his own and other people’s lives in the water, we shall have taken a major step towards combating the toll of drownings.”