Swimming criticises Govt

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 16

Swimming criticises Govt

Criticism of the Government and the Department of Education was expressed at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association in Christchurch last even‘“fl r 1. Russel! (Taranaki), a vicepresident of the association, said that the Department of Education was about 25 years behind the times in its attitude to swimbing tuition in the schools. Delegates of several other centres agreed with Mr Russell, arguing that a great deal more could be done in schools. In his report, the president, Mr G. S. Brockett, said he had not

failed to speak out for more financial aid to swimming from the Government, Mr J. Robson (Manawatu) said he thought Mr Brockett’s criticism of the Government was unfair. The Government had made many contributions to sport through facilities to clubs and Golden Kiwi grants. However. Mr A. W. Barrett (Wellington) said that the Government was not doing anything for sport. He spoke of the free advertising the Government received when New Zealand rowers or other sportsmen had successes in overseas competition. Later in his address, Mr Brockett said that the work of the

association was being inhibited, and would continue to be in-

hibited by inflation, static affiiation fees and increasing demands on finance.

Membership had decreased, and Mr Brockett said he believed it was through “fiddles going on over membership’’ and not because fewer persons were involved in swimming. Asked to elaborate after the meeting. Mr Brockett said that clubs were not making true returns of membership figures. “A number of members are enjoying all the facilities of clubs, but are not paying affiliation fees to their centres or the national association,” he said.