LIFE-SAVING WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22850, 4 October 1937, Page 13

LIFE-SAVING WORK

GOVERNMENT'S HELP

PROPOSED LEGISLATION FINANCIAL AID FOR SOCIETY MINISTER GIVES ASSURANCE [BV TELEGRAPH —OWN CORBESrONDENT] "WELLINGTON, Saturday An assurance that he was willing to introduce legislation this session to place the Royal Life-Saving Society in New Zealand 011 a footing justified by the importance of its work was given by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, addressing the annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the society. Mr. Parry said the work of the society had a great fascination for him. So important was it that he felt it had become part of the defence of the country. There was no difference between its functions and those of the fire brigades of the country. Something should bo done to put the organisation on a proper financial basis. He did not know whether they had given any consideration to that aspect—his department had so many different interests to look after. In Christchurch he had been told the organisation had been responsible for saving 300 lives. From the point of view of humanitarianism and usefulness it was hard to do justice in words to such a work. Perhaps it could be measured by the way they would receive a body of men who came home from a war after being responsible for that saving of life. % Legal Status Justified

They could not afford to let the work go on as it was, said Mr. Parry. As a branch of defence, it should have a legal status created. Contributions should be made by local bodies, insurance companies and the State. "The insurance companies are assisted by the work you do —make no mistake about that," he said. "It is only a fair thing that your work should be recognised and financially assisted. I have been considering it myself very earnestly."

There might be a demand by the contributing bodies to have representation on their council, said Mr. Parry. He saw no reason for that, or for making any other change in the constitution of an organisation which had functioned so well. The Minister said he would be interested in discussing a bill directed toward placing the society on a popular footing. He had taken part in collecting funds for the society, had watched the wonderful work done by 'beach patrols, and knew the value of the work and the type of men and women engaged in it. He suggested the appointment of a committee, and promised any assistance it was in his power to give. If it was possible to come to some agreement he would have a bill before the House this session. Definite Promise "When the Supplementary Estimates come down there will be something for you over which you will have no reason to be downhearted," he concluded. " I give you my word for that." The chairman, Mr. N. A. Ingram, remarked that matters affecting the requirements of the society were discussed by a special committee throughout the winter months. In December the committee was to undertake a national learn-to-swim week. After that a survey of the requirements of the three organisations concerned would be placed before the newlv-formed Council of Sport. They would go not with open hands to receive all the monetary assistance they could get, but in a spirit of fullest co-operation and with definite proposals. There was a wonderful opportunity for sports organisations to widen the scope of their activities, so as to assist people to utilise the extra leisure they had been given.