PHYSICAL WELFARE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23333, 27 October 1937, Page 7

PHYSICAL WELFARE

A NATIONAL SCHEME

RECREATION REQUIREMENTS FULL SURVEY TO BE MADE NO REGIMENTATION OF SPORT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter l WELLINGTON, Oct. 26. "The foundation for the national scheme of physical development and sports organisation is established in the Physical Welfare and' Recreation Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day by Governor-General's Message. The Bill embodies the general proposals which the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) has discussed with sports bodies during the last*few months. The organisation of the Government's scheme is to be entrusted to a national council of physical welfare and recreation which is to be established under the Bill. It will consist of the Minister of Internal Affairs as chairman, the Under-sec-retary for the Department of Interpal Affairs as deputy chairman, the Director-general of Health, the Director of Education, one person representing naval, military and air

services of the Dominion, to be appointed by the Minister of Defence, and not more thon 10 other persons appointed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, to hold office during his pleasure. Members of the council other than the Minister and Government officers are to be paid travelling expenses and allowances. The council is given power to appoint committees to assist it in its duties, and in this respect there is provision for making use of the services of co-opted members. The general function of the council, as set out in the Bill, will be to advise the Government on matters relating to the maintenance and improvement of the physical wellbeing of the people by means of physical training exercise, sport and recreation, together with related social activities, and to make from time to time such investigations and inquiries as may be necessary for that purpose. Particular functions will be to review the existing facilities for physical training and recreation, to make recommendations regarding the need for new or additional facilities and the manner in which they should be provided, to examine and consider proposals and applications for grants, and to' disseminate information regarding the national value of its objectives. The Minister is to be given power to define the districts for the detailed organisation of the scheme and to appoint district committees which will work under the control and direction of the council. Another section of the Bill empowers the Minister to make grants out of moneys appropriated by Parliament to local authorities and voluntary organisations for the purpose of providing or aiding in the provision of physical and recreational facilities. These facilities are regarded as including gymnasiums, playing fields, swimming baths, bathing places, holiday camps, camping sites, and buildings required by organisations interested in physical training and sport. Grants can also be made toward the expenses of a local authority or voluntary organisation in respect of the training and supply of instructors and leaders, and towards the general or specific funds of any voluntary organisation. The Minister may make these grants subject to any conditions which he thinks fit to impose.

Local authorities are authorised to spend moneys on facilities and equipment, and on the provision of centres for physical training and sport, and their activities in this direction are to be regarded as public works within the meaning of the Public Works Act. These facilities or centres may be managed either by the local authority itself or handed over to a voluntary organisation. Local bodies are also empowered to make grants toward the work of such voluntary organisations.

For the purpose of providing the necessary facilities in their particular districts, local bodies are to be permited to raise loans by special order without polls of ratepayers. Commissions of inquiry may be appointed to assist the council in any matter bearing on its activities, and the Bill also provides for the appointment of a physical welfare adviser and such other officers as may be considered necessary. The usual provisions regarding the presentation of an annual report and the making of regulations by Order-in-Council are included in the Bill "There is a movement the world over for the development of physical fitness on a national basis," said Mr Parry, speaking on the introduction of the Bill. " The schemes adopted in other countries are mostly in a state of development, but the Bill provides a foundation on which we shall be able to work in New Zealand." , , The Minister discussed the proposal to establish a national council of physical welfare and recreation, and in commenting on the suggested constitution said it was imperative that there should be close association with the Health Department and the Education DeSartment. Similarly, the Defence lepartment controlled facilities which could be utilised to the advantage of an organisation such as that which was to be created under the Bill. . There was power to set up subsidiary committees in various parts of the country, Mr Parry continued, and later on arrangements would be made for organising dis-

trict centres for the benefit of the farming communities. One of the first functions of the new council, however, would be to make a full survey of all the recreation requirements of the Dominion. "There is no suggestion of any compulsion or of anv regimentation of sport." added the Minister, in response to questions from the Opposition members. " The various sporting bodies will have absolute freedom of choice. We are asking for the co-operation of local authorities because they already' have wider cowers with regard to the provision of recreation grounds and other facilities than are possessed by similar bodies in other Darts of the world where similar legislation has already been introduced." Tne Bill was read a first time.