PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 68, 13 December 1938, Page 13

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Facilities Needed In Many Parts Of Dominion

Emphasizing the people’s need ot up-to-date facilities in many parts of New Zealand to obtain physical education essential to their mental and bodily health, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, expressed to a deputation yesterday the hope that the organization being built up under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act would effectually bring about, a change sadly overdue in the Dominion. “There is no puniness about the New Zealanders who have well carried on the work of the founders of this country,” said Mr. Parry. “They have earned the reputation of being a stalwart, virile nation, and we want to keep’ them up to that standard. The machinery methods of this new’ age of our civilization have a tendency to affect a people’s physical fitness and the legislation Parliament passed should, w.-hen in full working, provide aids to counteract that tendency.

“The great army of practical workers in the movement which is being gathered together in the Dominion makes me feel that the plans for the operation of the scheme, when ready for launching, must have the success looked for. I am particularly gratified at the expressed co-operation of the Dominion’s local bodies. Not one of. the local authorities approached by official letter has not promised active support. Some have gone so far as to appoint the personnel of the committees to act for the council in district requirements ■under the legislation. This is excellent progress.” The Minister said that his recent visit to the South Island convinced him of the interest aroused in several of the important centres in the work to be undertaken for the development of physical welfare, sport, and recreation.