LEARN TO SWIM

Northern Advocate, 10 December 1937, Page 4

LEARN TO SWIM

With the near approach of the holiday season, it is necessary to reflect upon the fact that water, as well as fire, constitutes a potential slayer of human life. The toll of death from drowning during the holiday season constitutes an alarming total year by year. In the great majority of cases, the victims are young and old who were unable to swim. It should not be possible to say of New Zealanders that they include a large number who need to depend on others to save them if they fall into the water. But such is file case. According to information placed before the Minister of Internal Affairs by swimming, surfing anddife-saving bodies, only 12 per cent, of the children leaving the primary schools are at present certified as proficient swimmers, and only 27 per cent, are able to cover a distance of 25 yards. This is truly a lamentable state of things among people who possess an island home blest with a climate which makes swimming and bathing possible during six months of the year. It was with the object of increasing New Zealanders’ acquaintance with the natatorial art that there was constituted a “Learn To; Swim” week. There is reason toi believe that the week, and the publicity given to it, have had a good effect, but it is most desir- j able, that the interest engendered j in swimming should be as wide-j spread and continuous as poss- j ible. Hence it is to be hoped! that those who have discovered the joys of swimming during “Learn To Swim” week will communicate their en-| thusiasm to others who have not yet had the experience. If that is done, and every means adopted to create interest in swimming, the holiday season will be robbed of some tragedies which would otherwise be associated with it.