ARRESTING DRIFT TOWARDS TOWNS

Chronicle (Levin), 9 December 1947, Page 6

ARRESTING DRIFT TOWARDS TOWNS

WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. The value of developing recreationai favilities in rural areas as a means of arresting the drift of young people towards the towns, was stressed today to the Boyal Oommission on Slieep Farming. The commission heard evidenee from two ofiicers of the physieal weifare branch of the Internal Affairs Department, Mr. B. J. Bender and Mr. u. L. Cross, who intimated that eonsiderable impetus might be given to sueli development as a result of a conference eariy next year between the department and Federated Farmers. It was recognised, said Mr. Bender, that the Dominion's etonomy was closely tied up with the retention of youth in the country and that many people left the farming areas because the towns offered better social and recreationai amenities. Last year the physieal welfare brancn paid special attention to the fostering of rural recreation. It would continue to make every eftort in this direction but it had to be realised that it wa» incumbent upon tlie country people themselves to make the first move in obtaining the necessary faciiities. The The clothing position was equaliy basis of £1 to £3 and approximately £50,000 could be alloeated eacli year among the 1(5 physieal welfare distriets in the Dominion. The grants did not neeessarilv have to be made to or administered by local authorities — i;ommunity groups, provided there was a reasonable guarantee of permanency, could spend such moueys. The grants could be used for almost auy physieal or cultural activity or development. Most communities, said Mr. Cross, wished to build some form of centre as a war memorial. Plaving fields, swiniming baths, tennis courts as well as halls for indoor pursuits, were among the most popular suggestions and the cost of all memorials approved by tlie Government would be subsidised bv.it pound for pound. A war memonai scheine which affectecl many rural areas -would be a large step in the encouragement of rural recreation, he added. '• -