A GOOD CAUSE

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 96, 23 April 1921, Page 6

A GOOD CAUSE

ENCOURAGEMENT OF SWIMMING BIG EVENT NEXT WEEK. In the promotion of national efficiency it is fully recognised that healthful sport plays an important part; and much, is done to encourage participation in games as a means to physical development. New Zealand, a sports-loving country, has made 1 this a port of its national education, and in many respects splendid recognition of the value of sport has been given by the community. This has 'been' mainly brought to notice in recant times, although New Zealand, largely by reason of its inidiulgence in healthy sport, played a magnificent part in the great war. With the revival of interest, and participation in outdoor games it is surprising to find, however, that one bianch of sport has not been favoured with the support to which it is justly entitled. The reference £» to swimming. Of all classes of sport which mafee for physical development, swimming must bo regarded as of prime importance. Its beneficial qualities ara many, but in another respect it can be said to tave a. greater claim for encouragement—as a meariß of saving lifs. Instruction in the art of swimming I should form pan o? Uis education of every child, and there is reason for belief that, in the schools, this is now being carried out on more efficient lines than the mere attendance of scholars at baths at intervals 1. Renewed activity on the part of swimming entfiusiasts in Wellington is also noticeable, mid dliring the season now ending they have made strong efforts to revive interest, and to impress upon the general public the great valu* of this particular brunch, of sport. The steps taken to accomplish their desire included a«ang<e>ments for the visit to this, city of Ludy Langer, the world's greatset mid-dle-distance swimmer. Unfortunately, the enterprise of the authorities who control swimming in Wellington has not met with the success on the financial side that it deserves. A two-night's carnival with Ludy Langer as the star exponent was not sufficiently supported by the public to justify a progressive policy on the same lines. , This is all the more to be regretted as swimming, like every other form of "tithletics, depends on style—the right way of doing things. The idea in swimming is to get the maximum forward motion with the minimum muscular effort, and the mo thods of a champion swimmer are'an object lesson in themselves. Ludy Langer has done a good service to swimming by giving special instructions and free j demonstrations to school children ,and on the strength of his criticism and recommendation some promising swimmers have been selected for further training. The truth is that Wellington is to-day very seriously handicapped for the learning of swimming by the fact that it has now only one open-air swimming bath —the salt-water baths at Te Aro—and rather cramped tepid baths at the Boys' Institute. English or American cities of the size of Wellington have several swimming baths, often large and magnificently equipped. It is undoubtedly to the shortage of facilities for swimming that a certain decadence in the art and' a local lack of enthusiasm is due, and one of the first things the City Council should do, when finance becomes easier, is to build new baths, both salt and fresh water. The present state of affairs is really a scandal to the city. It remains for the public to show its appreciation of what efforts are being made by the Wellineto Centre, and this can be done by the recording of a packed house when Ludy Langer appears at .the Tepid Baths on Tuesday night. Patrons will have a most valuable lesson in swimming, an.d, Vpart from this, the evening will not be wanting in. enjoyment. Langer is to swim in two special races — 150 yds and 220yds—and will make an attempt to break the record for the latter distance. He will also give an exhibition, of swimming, and will participate in the diving competition. The officials have, after due consideration, arranged prices that should be popular. A record attendance will induce local swimming and life-saving clubs and enthusiasts to continue their work in firmly establishing swimming as a national asset.