PHYSICAL WELFARE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 82, 4 October 1944, Page 7

PHYSICAL WELFARE

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

A statement -.-. that- he would bring down, a.report on the work accomplished to date: by the tPhyfeical Wei*, fare .Branch, of the Department of Internal Affairs,'and also: plans for the future of ; the work, was made by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) in the House of Representatives last night during discussion of the Department's .estimates. Mr, Parry said he hoped when the report was presented it would be possible for the Prime Minister io allot an afternoon for discussion of the subject, so that he would be able to obtain the opinions of all members on'the .question of future development, "It is going to mean a big thing if it gets where I want it to, and I trust and I feel sure that I will have the members of the House behind me," he said. It would cost a good deal of money to accomplish, and there would. b$ some people who would say that the.money could not be afforded, but the question of the future of youth was one of the most important matters-confronting New Zealand and the world. It was necessary to Understand exactly what Was meant by community or physical welfare centres, and how they were to be established and administered. ~Mr. C. M. BoWden (National, Wellington West): Who is going to administer them?

The Minister: I think that is- a local body affair. However, it is a matter I want to get the opinion of the House on. .

.The businesslike way in which the Minister handled his Department was commended by Mr. A. S. Sutherland (National, Hauraki). He said the Minister had done wonderful work m fostering- physical welfare clubs and recreation in the. Dominion. He had also made many improvements in other directions; such as trout fishing and he had done much for the protection of,bird life. .Congratulations were deserved, too,. On the way the Department had organised and controlled the physical training of the Air Training Corps.