LIFE-SAVERS’ WORK

Patea Mail, 3 November 1937, Page 2

LIFE-SAVERS’ WORK

MINISTER’S APPRECIATION GRANTS PROBABLE Warm appreciation of ttic work being carried out by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, the New Zealand branch of the Royal Life. Saving Society, and the New Zealand Surf Life-Saving Association, was expressed by the Minister of Internal Af. fairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry), when replying to a deputation representative of the three organisations. Mr. Parry emphasised that the saving of human lives could not be measured in pounds, shillings and pence, and he undertook to recommend Cabinet to grant the extra financial assistance sought by the deputation. A member of the deputation -stated that it was almost unbelievable that the monthly loss of life by drowning during the five months of the season was greater than the corresponding loss of life by transport accidents. Replying to the deputation, the Min. ister said that the life-saving aspect of the 'work undertaken by the organisations represented by the deputation was definitely linked up with the work of the fire brigades. It was part of the defence of the Dominion and played such an important part in crelating confidence and security on the beaches that it should not b.e dependent on threo-pences and pennies collected here and there.

•The work should he put on a basis similar to that of the fine brigades and financed by the local bodies, tjiei insurance companies, and the Govern, meat. That would mean legislation, although there might be difficulties in certain districts. The lifesaving organisations had served a good appren. ticeship in regard to the administration of their work and he did not think there was any need for an alteration in the form of control. He 'would certainly bring the matter before Cabinet.

■The sum of £ll BO asked for this year was only a tleabitc compared with the national value of the work, the Minister added. He did not think there would be any reason for a kick from the local bodies or the insurance companies if it was decided to bring down a Bill on the basis he had eng. gestod, and he was sure that they would not be antagonistic. There could be no question of the saving of money to insurance companies through the saving of lives on the beaches.