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is restricted to employees of local authorities, members of first-aid organizations, police officers, and the personnel of the Defence Forces. Following on a request by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the local authorities in these centres willingly agreed to co-operate in the scheme by giving facilities to their officers to take part in the classes which had been organized. The instructional work is in the hands of the Defence Department. In the meantime the classes are conducted in the evenings and on occasional half-days. VIII. DOGS REGISTRATION PREVENTION OF HYDATID DISEASE. The scheme envisaged by the Dogs Registration Amendment Act, 1937, for the purpose of minimizing the prevalence of hydatid disease was put into active operation during the year. Regulations were issued prescribing the preparation known as arecoline hydro-bromide as the approved preventive to be used in the treatment of dogs. This particular remedy was prescribed after exhaustive research by the Hydatid Research Committee of the Otago Medical School in consultation with officers of the Health Department as being the most effective drug for the purpose of preventing hydatids in dogs. In accordance with the powers vested in him by the Act, the Minister made arrangements for the purchase in bixlk of the required amount of the drug. It was then sold to local authorities in bulk, the quantity prescribed for each local authority being sufficient for all dogs registered in its district. The regulations provide that a copy of printed instructions as to the use of the approved remedy is to be given to each person registering a dog, and sufficient copies of these instructions were accordingly forwarded to the local authorities for distribution. The regulations further provide that, in addition to the usual fee for dog registration, every dog-owner, when registering a dog, shall pay to the local authority the sum of Is. to reimburse that body for the cost of the drug. IX. PHYSICAL WELFARE AND RECREATION. Considerable progress has been made during the past year towards implementing the proposals contained in the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, 1937. Early in the year a Council was set up under the terms of section 3 of the Act and section 44 of the Statutes Amendment Act, 1938, and since that date has held four meetings. The personnel of the Council was chosen so as to give a broad representation of all sections of national life. The Council so set up consists of — The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry (Chairman) (ex officio). The Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, J. W. A. Ilecnan, Esq., C.B.E. (Deputy Chairman) (ex officio). The Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, C.B.E. (ex officio). The Director of Education, N. T. Lambourne, Esq., 1.5.0. (ex officio). N.Z. Defence Forces, Captain A. H. L. Sugden (ex officio). Dr. T. H. Pettit, M.8., Ch.B., Auckland. Miss A. Kennedy, Auckland. L. J. Brake, Esq., Whangarei. W. H. Moyes, Esq., M.A., New Plymouth. Miss K. McKenzie, Napier. Dr. C. E. Hercus, 0.8. E., D.5.0., Dunedin. T. Meredith, Esq., Invercargill. F. G. Dunn, Esq., Christchurch. A. C. Kitto, Esq., Wellington. Mrs. R. S. Mclnnis, Wellington. C. F. Schadick, Esq., 0.8. E., Westport. M. H. Wilks, Esq., Taumarunui. At its meetings the Council was able to devise machinery which should go a long way towards making the physical-welfare movement a real factor in community life. In particular it has considered the general problems involved in creating a public consciousness of the need for adequate work in the field of physical welfare and recreation, and has been able to place specific proposals in this regard before the Minister. The need to make the country realize the value of physical fitness as the best means for personal security led to the planning of a " drive " which opened with a National Fitness Week in February. In every part of the Dominion special physical displays and athletic meetings were arranged, and an intensive publicity campaign was engaged in. The public response was very gratifying, and bears out the contention of the Council that there is a considerable demand from all sections of the community for opportunities and facilities for recreational activities. In an endeavour to sustain the interest thus created, advantage has been taken of the facilities offered by the press and the radio to keep the movement before the public eye. It was pointed out by the Council that it was necessary to have available a corps of instructors who could guide the movement into the best channels. Hence it is suggested that among the first specific advances should be the institution of a system of training with a view to providing the leaders who are necessary if proper progress is to be made. It is recognized, of course, that a properly balanced recreational system requires the provision not only of playing-fields, but also of accessory buildings and amenities ; nor must the provision of gymnasia and similar facilities be overlooked When fully qualified instructors are available, it is felt that area organizers should be appointed whose duty it would be to arrange for the best use of existing and proposed facilities, and to see that provision is made for all citizens who wish to increase their physical efficiency.

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