PHYSICAL WELFARE

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22202, 23 November 1943, Page 2

PHYSICAL WELFARE

TWO EXISTING ORGANISATIONS UNCERTAINTY AS TO SCOPE With a view to clarification of the activities of the two bodies and the consideration of any possible overlapping, a representation from the Waikato Federated Sports Council, consisting of Messrs H. Layne, T. A. Ewan and T. J. B. Mason, attended a meeting of the Hamilton Physical Welfare and Recreation committee in the Borough Council Chambers last night. Consideration was given to the provisions made by the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act of 1937, under which the committee came into being. Mr T. C. Heard, physical welfare officer, when asked to give his views on the subject was of opinion that the provision of buildings and facilities for sport and their financing would remain the responsibility for the Physical Welfare and Recreation Committee, but the actual supervision of games would* be carried out by the Sports Council. The committee would be occupied in the development of cultural activities, such as music, art and drama. He suggested that the members of the council should obtain definite information on the matter when they visited Wellington on Wednesday for a meeting of the National Council of Sport. Wording of the Act Mr Layne considered that the Act under which the committee worked was very vague and wide in its scope. Many of the features so embodied could be the council’s responsibility but some might be the cause of overlapping. That the activities of the committee would be only the provision of homes for sports bodies and the financing of them was the opinion expressed by the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro. The Minister of Internal Affairs should be asked whether the committee’s functioning was necessary when it had no funds to help the sports council.

Dr. S. de la Mare disagreed with the previous speaker, saying that the committee’s scope included many activities other than sport. Miss R. Heap, physical welfare officer, also considered that there v/as considerable room in Hamilton for development of music, art and drama. She agreed that there was need for a definition of the committee’s duties. The committee could do much in educating local interests and making the public “physically-fit conscious,” said Mr G. S. Russell. He thought the committee should carry on. Arousing Public Interest

Mr Layne stated that after hearing the opinions of the other speakers he could not help but be impressed with the need for generating public interest. He quoted a report of activities of the Physical Welfare and Recreation Committee in Southland, but gave as his opinion that the Waikato was “the hardest place in the world to get solid support to any movement,” owing to the apathy .of the public. Mr F. A. Swarbrick deplored the lack of a lead from the parent body governing the committee. It did not appear that it had ever functioned in Wellington. He contended that in no respect did the committee’s activities conflict with the aims and objects of the Sports Council. It was agreed that the committee should continue its activities, and that enlightenment on the question should be sought from Wellington.