CAMPAIGN’S PROGRESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 64, 17 March 1942, Page 6

CAMPAIGN’S PROGRESS

SWIMMING TUITION IN ARMY (P.A.) Wellington, March 13. | “The campaign recently introduced bv the Army to reduce the large number of non-svvimmers in its ranks ! has already achieved considerable success,” said the Minister of Defence ' (Mr. Jones) to-day. At January 31 the numbers who had passed the 30 yards test comprised 81 per cent, of lhe troops in the Northern District, 64 per cent, in the Central District, and 50 per cent, in the Southern District. During February a great many non-swimmers were taught to swim, but the influx of recruits with many non-swimmers in their ranks had left the percentage figures for February at ' much the same level, except in the j Southern District, where the percentage unable to swim 30 yards had been reduced from 50 per cent, to 39 per cent. Taking the figures over lhe whole of New Zealand, including two large camps and certain troops not included in district returns, the men unable to swim at the end of Feb- 1 ruary comprised 30 oer cent, of the total strength. In one district 99 men held the life- ( saying certificate and in other dis- , tricts the- numbers were probably about the same. Instruction was proceeding steadily : wherever facilities oermitted, and I' swimming clubs and associations were i giving valuable assistance. a