Too Many Young People Physically Unfit

Chronicle (Levin), 16 June 1949, Page 4

Too Many Young People Physically Unfit

Fress Association )

(Per

WELLINGTON, June io. TPe number oi young people in New Zealand who had recentiy i'ailed to paSs a medical test, was described to-day as a tragedy by the Minister of Internal iiifairs, Mr. Farry, who is in charge of the physical welfare and recreation section. Hc was addressing the annual meeting of the New Zealand Council of Sport. Not long before that, he continued, another medical test had had a similarLy, deplorable result. He was greatly _ eoncerned that such a state of affairs could exist in a country where the people were well fed, well housed and well elothed. Everv person eoncerned - with physical welfare must &be 61s" tressed at this sort of thing which necessitated- a drive to overcome it l)y open air and physical education in and out of sehools. A move would have to be made to link up children leaving sehools with sports organisations. The Government was doing all it could to eneourage the physical development of the youth of the country. Facilitiea ior the Y.M.C.A. to operate in Publie Works camps had been provided and where housmg schemes had been established recreation parks had been provided. Since the Minister of Rehabilitation had been in office, Mr. Parrv continued, 108 new doiuains comprising 2550 acres, had been set up. Up to March 31, 1949, the numbei of domains in the Dominion totalled 841, comprising 84,200 acres. The total grants for the year to sports bodies totalied £46,95(3. Twentyone community centres had been approved at a total cost of £163,000. Applications for 60 more community jentres had been received. The Government was giving a subsidy of £1 for £1 for war memorials approved by municipal autliorities and had now decided also to grant this subsidy for community centres. The Government had encouraged sporting organisations by making grants for equipment. No fewer than 747 applications for assistance had been received. Youth club work had progressed and 58 trainees and bodies had undergone a month 's course. The new training scheme at Dunedin would supply more leaders anu send out flying squads to visit country centres. Health, samps for young women in Central Otago had done- useful services. "Oue of the best jobs a Government can do is to look after the health of the youth of the* nation, ' ' the Minister concluded.