MORE PLAYING FIELDS

Waipa Post, Volume 41, Issue 3185, 7 August 1930, Page 2

MORE PLAYING FIELDS

SOLVING A LONDON PROBLEM.

If playing fields and open spaces are to be acquired within a radius of ten miles of Charing Cross, it must be " now or never." The Marquess of Crewe, President of the London and Greater London Playing Fields Association, made this clear at a luncheon given by Colonel Sir Kenyon Vaughon-Morgan, M.P., Chairman of the Association, at Claridge's, says the Morning Post. He reminded them that there were only 20,000 acres of suitable land available that could be secured for playing fields within a radius of 10 miles of Charing Cross. That was being swallowed up for building purposes at the rate of 2500 acres each year. Even if the whole of it were secured, they wduld be still 5000 acres short of the accepted standard. BETTER HEALTH. Lord Crewe pointed out that great provision was made from public funds to provide revenue for hospitals and other curative institutions. But prevention was better than cure. Looked at from the most material point of view, as well as from the point of view of humanity, it would be seen than the provision of open spaces and facilities for sports and amusements that tended to the better of the public would, in due course, diminish the demand on hospitals and similar institutions. He reminded his hearers of the toll of young lives in street accidents — 932 children under fifteen in three years—and emphasised that every opportunity was being seized for obtaining playgrounds where slum clearances were taking place. The Mayor of Westminster, Captain J. S. C. Bennett, supported the appeal. London has contentedly handed over its responsibility in the matter to the Playing Fields Association. The Association is very much awake to the danger of the situation and is appealing for both service and money to meet it. Strong committees have been formed to assist in raising the money and the mayors of several of the boroughs and the chairmen of the urban and rural councils within the Association's sphere are co-operating.