SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 100, 25 October 1930, Page 22

SWIMMING

ay " HEADER" A SEVERE BLOW NO GOVERNMENT GRANT FOR EDUCATIONAL WORK The loss of the Government grant to the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Lifesaving Society, will be severely felt by botli bodies. Any organisation that has for one of its main objects and aims the encouragement of swimming and life-saving amongst children cannot hope to accomplish much progress without funds. Experience has proved that the carrying out of this important branch of the sport cannot be successfully applied unless there is the will and the enthusiasm to support it. If this important factor were missing, and the work treated in a more or less perfunctory manner, there would bo no need for concern over the loss of the grant. But such is not the case. A Few Figures. The swimming association has for years past made more than a successful feature of its progress in the encouragement given to children, and, ill a similar manner, the Royal Life-sav-ing Society can point to a creditable record. Some few years ago, the form- | er body found that the educational work was enlarging to such an extent that an educational officer was appointed "to control this particular branch of swimming in each centre. These officers took up their duties with zest, and it was not long before an increase in the number of certificates issued took place. Each officer appeared determined to set up.fresh records, with the result that not only was a keen spirit of rivalry existing, but the figures jumped up by large numbers in each centre. As an illustration, the following figures .speak for themselves: — In 1909, when the certificates were first issued, the number totalled 685. Except in an odd season or two, the figures showed gradual increases, eventually reaching 15,836 in 1929. The lowest total for any year was 291— epidemic year. To date, the total number of certificates issued by the N.Z. A.S.A. has reached the y splendid total of 89,829. Three classes of certificates are issued, viz., learners, proficiency, and merit. An Excellent Record. Assuming that eaeli child gains all of the certificates mentioned, it will be seen that just on 30,000 children have qualified; but in all probability the average to each child would bo two certificates. We therefore find that the actual figures are nearer 45,0001 Fortyfive thousand children have thus' received the benefit of the association's work. Is,there any organisation that can point to such an excellent record? Is there any society that can boast "of having rendered such a service? Fortyfive thousand children able to swim, and in the position of being ablo to save not only their own lives, but those of others! Does not such an achievement warrant continued, support from the Government? In no other country in the world is there any educational work performed that can in any way compare with this record. Yet we find that other Governments employ numerous instructors, etc., to carry out this work at considerably more expense than this country is ever called upon to bear. When it is considered that all of the efforts put forward on behalf of the children are performed voluntarily by the various educationall officers and their assistants, even to the extent of defraying travelling expenses out of their own pocket, it will be recognised that such enthusiasm on their part should be supported readily, and not retarded. A Deterrent Effect. It can be safely said that those keen workers will not relax their efforts during the coming season, but it is obvious that the loss of the grant will have a deterrent effect. The cost of the certificates nlone, without mentioning the work entailed in their distribution to the children concerned, absorbs a great proportion of the amount usually granted, and if high-figure results are again obtained—a natural conclusion —a problem will facc\ the New Zealand Council in raising the necessary funds to meet the demand. It might be suggested In someqnarters that the issne of* certificates is not necessary. Anyone who has had the opportunity of observing the results so far obtained, will speedily ridicule the suggestion. The children prize the certificates highly—there is ample evidence to prove this—and it is mainly through the institution of this,award that such excellent results have been obtained. If the future issue is to bo in any way curtailed, the educational work will suffer correspondingly. The whole matter bears a national aspect, and for that reason alone the Swimming Association should be supported by the Government at least to the extent of restoring the grant. The amount usually voted is small in comparison to the results obtained, and it is to be hoped that be: fore session ends Parliament will reconsider the cutting out of the grant, and that the original sum will again be available for the fine work to which it is applied. Worser Bay Club. The Worser Bay Club is actively preparing for forthcoming activities. During the week-end members were busy renovating the clubhouse, and wlip.n this work is completed, together with improvement to the foundations, which were undermined during the winter, the club's premises will be in tiptop order for the opening of tho season, which is to take place on the 22nd November, at 2.30 p.m. The officers of the club are more than pleased with the keenness of members so early in tho season. Life-saving classes for members desirous of gaining the brouze medallion will be started shortly,- and any local persons interested to the extent of wishing to join the class may do so by forwarding their names to the secretary, Mr. J. Newport, 4, Dundas street, Seatoun, who will also be pleased to enrol new members. National Championships. The decision to divide the National Championships will come into force during the current season, and the centres responsible for We control of the respective fixtures are already in train with their arrangements. Tentative dates have been submitted to the New Zealand Council for approval as follows: —Senior (Wanganui), 6th to 9th March, inclusive; intermediate and junior (Ashburton), 30th and 31st January. The former date is later than upual, but will meet with the approval of the majority of competitors, many of whom found it difficult to secure the necessary leave when the championships were held so soon after the Christinas and 3Nfcw Year holidays.