HEALTH CAMPS.

Wairarapa Age, 4 May 1937, Page 4

HEALTH CAMPS.

KING GEORGE V. NATIONAL MEMORIAL. APPEAL BY HON. ADAM HAMILTON. IMPORTANCE OF BENEFITS STRESSED. “I wish to give my support to the appeal which has been made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hom. Mr. Savage, and his predecessor, the Rt. Hon. Mr. Forbes, for contributions towards the King George the Fifth National Memorial Fund,” stated the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition in a broadcast address last night. “The money which is subscribed to this fund will be used for the establishment of permanent children’s health camps, and as a former Post-master-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 of many of our young people. ACTUAL RESULTS. “The benefits which the children derive from these camps is truly astonishing. Taking one of the large camps for example—-the average weight of 614 children (comprising 272 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. In 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. PHYSICAL FITNESS.

“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. I am 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 the natural condition in which the exercise of the limbs is an enjoyment instead of a 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 alreadycontracted diseases. APPEAL COMMENDED.

“I commend this appeal earnestly to you all. It is an appeal which must go straight to the hearts of everyone who is interested in the welfare of the children of this country, interested in their development, and in their health and happiness. And I say here that country children as well as town children have benefited from these eamps. The scope of the camps has been national, and when placed on a permanent basis they will be a fitting national memorial to his late Majesty. To carry through the scheme a large sum of money will be required, but we rely on the admiration and affection which we all cherish for the memory of a beloved King, who reigned not only on the throne but in our hearts for a quarter of a century, to make these permanent health camps possible. Our objective can be accomplished only if the support for the memorial flows from the homes and hearts of all the people. The Government wants this fund to be a real offering of the people, and I know that none of us who are associated in this appeal will be disappointed. We all look forward to the long procession of the years to come and see someone asking how these camps came into being, the answer will be: ’These camps were given by the generation which knew King George the Fifth as a thanksgiving for his life of service in order that his memory might live in the happier lives of their children and their children’s children.’ ” MASTERTON FUND. ADDITIONAL DONATIONS. The following additional donations to the Kung George Memorial Fund are acknowledged by the Mayor (Mr. T. Jordan):— £ » d Previously acknowledged .. 161 7 6 Sydney Smith 1 fl fl R. E. Maunsell 1 0 0

CARTERTON PLANS. GATHERING IN CARRINGTON PARK. (“The Age” Special.) ( Arrangements for celebrations on Coronation Day were considered at a largely attended meeting held in Carterton last night. The Mayor, Mr. D. L. Taverner, presided. Mr. Taverner said he thought that any celebrations should have a definite appeal to the children. Owing to the prevalence of infantile paralysis, however, it would not be possible to hold gatherings of children. At a later date it was proposed to present all school children with a Union Jack as a momento of the occasion. There was a lengthy discussion on the desirability of holding celebrations on ac?ount of infantile paralysis. Mr. R. W. Roydhouse did not think that celebrations should be held and said it was a serious matter to organise large gatherings at the present time. Efforts, he considered, should be concentrated on the King George V Memorial Fund. He moved that no celebrations be held but the motion was lost. It was decided that celebrations be held in Carrington Park commencing at 10 a.m. Brief addresses will be given by the Mayor and the member for the district, Mr. B. Roberts. The gathering will be held wet or fine and there will be no processjon. The Band is to be asked to assist an<j Friendly societies and other institutions are to be invited to attend. The religious , part of the ceremony was left to the local clergy to arrange. The co-opera-tion of the business commu mty is to be

sought in the lighting and decoration of the town, the detail arrangements to be left to the Tradesmen’s Association. The Borough Council is to subsidise expenditure. The following committee was set up to complete the arrangements:—Mr. and Mrs. M. T. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Boyne, Miss O. Wolters, the Rev. W. F. Stent, Messrs D. L. Taverner, W. Sorenson, H. Mortenson and P. Colo (secretary). FEATHERSTON COUNTY. In response to the Prime Minister’s request, Mr. Q. Donald, chairman of the Featherston County Council notifies ratepayers and others that contributions may be made to this fund by sending donations to the Town Clerks of Greytown, Featherston and Martinborough. GRANT OF £l,OOO. CHRISTCHUHCH, May 3. A grant of £l,OOO to the King George V. memorial fund was authorised tonight by the Christchurch City Council. The Lyttleton Borough Council voted £IOO.—(P.A.)