SWIMMING AS A COMPULSORY SUBJECT.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12469, 20 February 1909, Page 4

SWIMMING AS A COMPULSORY SUBJECT.

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION'S VIEWS. __ [Dotted Pkkss Association.] Wellington, Feb. 19. T]ie Penguin disaster suggested to an Auckland school committee that swimming ought to be a compulsory subjwo in all. public schools, But a statement by the Hon. Goo. Fowlds, tlio Minister of Education, shows that there are insuperable difficulties in the way. "Though the Government, does a good deal to encourage the art, it is impossible to make" swimming a compulsory subject," said Mr Fowlds, "unless you have places for the children to swim in. Undoubtedly it is an important matter,, and I think everyone might learn to swim in places where there are suitable opportunities. I think care is already taken to train the children, but to make this compulsory would carry with it an obligation to provide swimming baths, which is 3 of course, a matter for the local authorities.". It was suggested by the^ Minister that a good deal of misapprehension existed as to the value of swimming in such a case as the Penguin disaster, when there was a rough sea making it beyond tho power of ahyono to save himself byswimming alone, though it was of course of great value in enabling unfortunate people to reach the rafts and boats, and to get ashore when they drifted close to the beach. "We give encouragement to. swimming by a capitation grant," continued the Minister. "Swimming and life-saving classes may be formed of children inStandard IV- of the, primary schools, and those in the secondary schools. If twenty half-hour lessons are given in the season a payment of 2s 6d per pupil is made. The" local authorities also assist materially by allowing scholars to use the baths ..free, of charge, at least I do not know an exception td' this "rule. In: 1907, com-; paratively'few districts had taken advantage of the Government's offer of capitation, "as only. 81 classes were recogaisedby the Minister. Most interest appeared to be taken in the matter in North Canterbury, where there were 35 classes, while- in Nelson, com-: paratively a small education district, 15 classesV were- in operation, ; cranui had six classes earnmg^the *_ grant, but in no'other district-were two have increased to 25 classes-.