SURF LIFE-SAVING

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 99, 24 October 1938, Page 10

SURF LIFE-SAVING

SELFLESS SERVICE

MINISTER'S APPRECIATION

NEED FOR SUPPORT

The sincere thanks of the Government to th-3 surf life-savers of the Dominion, and an jffer to give his fullest support to the movement were given by the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, at. the annual general meeting on Saturday evening of the New Zealand Surf Life-saving Association. -■ :\ la introducing Mr. Parry, Mr. P. F. Coira, president of the association, said that had it not been for the efforts of the Minister during his term of office, the association would not b* : m its present consolidated position" Noone previously in Mr. Parry's position had been so sympathetic towards tne movement.

I am indeed glad, to. be able to address a few remarks to this conference in admiration of the work performed by the New Zealand Surf Life-saving Association," said Mr. Parry. ...

"The Government is pleased to have been able to grant a subsidy towards' the work of your: association. To ra» mind your association is to be specially commended on the fact that de-' spite the lack of outside finance your activities have not been curtailed to any great extent. It should be realised that the voluntary, work carried out by the patrols on your beaches throughout the Dominion is.most important and should not suffer because of lack, of funds. ' GOVERNMENT'S PART. "Your work is humanitarian, and should be encouraged by any Government that happens to be in power. Without the work of your association the loss of life would be far greater than.it now is, and surely any Govt ernment should recognise the enormous amount of time and money that you people spend in this wonderful work. . . . 'X : "I realise,, of covirse; the inadequacy of the present swimming facilities, and I hope in the .very near.future, to have some of these serious omissions rectified. Although many of our cities suffer to a great extent, the' lack of swimming amenities and instruction is most apparent in the country districts," said the "Minister. "The members of the National Committee of Physical Welfare and Recreation agree that something, should be done for the rural population, and it is sincerely hoped that this problem will be solved and successfully dealt with before very .long. Of course, it cannot be expected'that we can achieve our-object in a few months of even years. The most urgent problems will have to be dealt with first, andj each case will receive the attention it merits. . . > OUTSTANDING RECORD. "I would like to touch briefly on certain matters dealt with in your annual report.. The outstanding record of rescues from drowning deserves special comment. The men voluntarily engaged in the work are real heroes in the community. We seldom give them the . praise they deserve, and I feel sure t,hey do not look for praise. It is enough for them to know that they are engaged in doing something for their fellow-men. I take this opportunity of thanking them on behalf of the Government and the people. The fact that 201^5 lives were saved in the first five years of the life of. your association and only 141 in your sixth year points to the way you have both helped to educate the people for their own safety, and patrolled the beaches with vigour and vigilance.

"I was particularly pleased to note the interest taken in the inter-club competitions. The large field of entries and the general standard of work required suggests that the men guiding this association know the value of efficiency at the time of need. .The contribution that this side of the work is giving to the education, in a wider sense, of the people, means that recognition must come from those who see you in action, or at the moment of need find your help has saved their lives." BASIS OF FINANCE. j He believed that the clubs should be placed on the same status as the volunteer fire brigades. There was some difference of opinion on the matter, but it was a fact that while property was replaceable, life was not. He could not see any greater service than that given by the life-saving patrols. In his opinion the service should be financed by the Government, the insurance companies* and the local bodies. • The insurance companies were already considerably, in the debt, of the life-savers, because a considerable proportion of the 2156. people rescued to date 'must be holders of life insure ance policies. Life-savers should certainly not be humiliated by having to run about. on the beach with a box cpllecting threepences, i