MEMORIAL FUND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19315, 4 May 1937, Page 9

MEMORIAL FUND

N.Z. HEALTH CAMPS APPEAL BY MR. HAMILTON (Special to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this clay. An appeal was made last uiglit to the people of New Zealand l>y the Hon. Adam Hamilton, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, in support of the Prime Minister's appeal for contributions to the King George V national memorial fund for the. permanent establishment of children's health camps. "The money which is subscribed to this fund," sa'id Mr. Hamilton, "will ho used for the establishment of permanent children's health camps, and as a former Postmaster-General whose department has previously appealed for money for the maintenance of these camps through the sale of health stamps, I have some knowledge of the work the camps have accomplished. For some years they have been an integral part of the national health policy, and if they are now placed on a permanent basis they will play a vital part in improving the health til many of our young people."

The benefits which the children derived from these camps .was astonishing* Mr. Hamilton added. Taking one of the large camps for example—the average weight of 614 children (comprising 2/2 girls and 342 boys) increased during their month's stay in the camp by approximately 51b per child. Only three of the 614 children failed to show any increase. in weight.' 11l regard to height—while 237 of the 614 showed no appreciable increase in height, the remaining 377 improved in this respect by an average of half an inch. "In New Zealand we have succeeded in reducing infant mortality and in prolonging the average, span of life, but we want something! more than that," he continued. "lain sure it is the desire of all that we should also have a high standard of physical' fitness. Physical fitness is one of the main factors in health, and health in turn is largely the foundation of happiness and contentment. We want our young people to make the most of their' lives, whether they are at work or at play, and if they are to do that, they must get as near as possible to that, natural condition in which the exercise of the limbs is an enjoyment instead of u fatigue, and in which the vitality of the body sharpens and concentrates the faculties' of the mind. Remember we can do far more good to public health by preventing people from contracting diseases than by providing elaborate and expensive facilities to cure people who have already contracted diseases." Country children as well as town children had benefited from these camps, the scope of which had been national. Mr. Hamilton continued.

A large sum would be required, bill the objective could be accomplished only if the support for the memorial flowed from the homes and hearts of all the people.

GRANT OP £IOOO

CHRISTCHURCH COUNCIL (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, last night. A grant of £IOCO to the King George V memorial fund was authorised to-night by the Christchurch City Council. 'The l.vttelton Borough Council voted #IOO.