PHYSICAL WELFARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23129, 30 August 1938, Page 7

PHYSICAL WELFARE

COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL ITS OBJECTIVES OUTLINED The fact that the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation was not a sports body, and that its members were appointed not for their sporting interests, *but as representatives of areas, was emphasised by a member of the council, Dr. T. H. Pettit, when speaking at the annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the Royal Life-saving Society last night. The functions of the council, Dr. Pettit explained, covered far more than sport. Neither, he added, had members been selected by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, because of their political views. Dr. Pettit said it was proposed that the council's schemes ohould. begin in the primary schools. Later, a scheme would be applied to the secondary schools. However, its > work began earlier even than in the schools. A basio problem was the question of educating the people in correct nutrition. The results of the council's work would probably nut 'become apparent, until the next generation.

- A degree of physical education, said Dr. Pettit, would be instituted at the university colleges, and training would also be undertaken of sport leaders. The next step would be the formation of district committees of the council. These would he chosen by the Minister. Furthermore, it was proposed that preliminary recreational centres should be instituted in two North Island towns.

Referring to financial assistance by the council. Dr. Pettit made it clear that this would be granted only toi bodies that commanded the requisite enthusiasm and -were prepared to help themselves.

A tribute was paid by Dr. Pettit to the work performed by .the chairman of the Royal Life-sating Society, Mr. K. C. Reid, physical instructor at the Teachers' Training College, in training students in the correct principles of physical welfare and recreation.