NO ROOM FOR APATHY

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 16, 28 February 1939, Page 5

NO ROOM FOR APATHY

DUTY OF EVERYONE TO

PARTICIPATE

When presiding at the opening of Saturday afternoon's demonstration, at which an address was given by Mr F. G. Dunn, Mr A. Anderson, the chairman of the committee, in introducing the speaker, remarked that the general public little realised the effort and time involved in preparing for the demonstration. The committee had worked well together but he wished to publicly thank the two secretaries for the great amount of work they had put in to preparing the programmes and |n aranging for the various items. The forty-hour

week had given a wonderful opportunity for sports organisations and it was one which they should make the most of. There was an old saying that idle dogs worried the sheep, but if everyone was provided with agreeable recreation for their leisure hours nothing but good would result. Mr Anderson said that Mr Dunn had devoted a great deal of his time to the work of the National Council for Physical Welfare and Recreation and had within recent weeks visited many parts of Canterbury, a work for which he was drawing no salary.

Mr Dunn said that first of all he wished to express thanks, on behalf of the Minister for Internal Affairs, for the wonderful organisation work done by those in charge of the SpringsEllesmere effort, and he also wanted to thank on the Minister's behalf, all those who had taken part in the parade and in the events at the showground. He knew that there were many people who looked upon the campaign cynically, but those who had done what they could to help, who had appeared in the parade, were setting out as missionaries. They realised the seriousnes of what was taking place and their stand would enable others to join and help. It was easy to be lazy, and comfortable to be apathetic, but there was an awakening coming which he was afraid would be neither easy nor comfortable. Lethargy and apathy were characteristics which were too prominent in the people.of this country and there were many who were asking what could be done about it. It was not those who were taking part in such demonstrations as this, who were doing what they could to help, that the national organisers of the campaign wanted to get at, but the indifferent, the cynic and the apathetic majority. It was for those who took the opposite view to act as missionaries and do their utmost to win them over. Throughout the world to-day, no matter what the political principles which guided the governing bodies, the greatest attention was being given to the physical welfare of the people. It was the beginning of a new age, and one where the ideal that wealth meant £ s. d. was changing to one where it meant the health of the people. Great attention was being paid to the health of the people, and in New Zealand a start was also being made. There was this great difference, however, that whereas in certain countries it was being done compulsorily, in this country it was being done voluntarily, by means Qf example and education. There was to be no forcing. An alert and vigorous mind naturally followed upon a physically fit body. Mr Dunn pointed out that those young people who were being so intensively trained would, in the years to come, be the leaders in trade, art, and culture in their own countries and competitors with those in this country. This was the position which had to be met, especially by the younger people and they might even try and take our place in the sun. New Zealanders would have this advantage, however, that whereas in foreign countries effort was being concentrated on physical perfect and the Deity was being ignored, training here would be towards making the people hot only physically strong but mentally and spiritually as well. Mr Dunn gave an assurance that there would be no interference with sports organisations. .They had done a wonderful work in the past, were putting their weight into this campaign throughout New Zealand, and they would be allowed to work out their own destinies. He went on to say that final touches had been made to a scheme through which it was hoped that more opportunities for recreation would be given to mothers of families throughout the country who at present had little or no opportunity of getting away from their homes at the week end. The speaker went on to say that this campaign was but the start, the ball had been set rolling and it would not be allowed to stop, would continue rolling, growing as it rolled. Speaking to the children, Mr Dunn mentioned the learn-to-swim campaign and the great need there was for all to learn. A very large proportion of the children in New Zealand could not swim. It was one of the! finest exercises, but more than that it was everyone's duty to learn to swim, for no one knew when the ability to do so would mean that some one's life could be saved, while, on the other hand, it might mean that ■ another might lose his life in trying

to save the life of one who could not

swim. He hoped that it would not be long before all the children In Springs and Ellesmere could swim.