PLANNED RECREATION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 238, 5 July 1944, Page 8

PLANNED RECREATION

Promoting, Welfare Of Workers

TRADES COUNCIL SCHEME Suggestions for improving the mental and physical condition of workers in_ the interests of their own welfare anil of industry, are incorporated in a report adopted at the annual meeting of the Wellington Trades Council. The report urges the necessity for organized recreation of a social and educational character, and of the provision of proper facilities and specially of trained leadership. The Federation of Labour has been requested to take the matter up with the national executive of the Labour Party, so that these bodies may place its desirability before the Government. "There are no trained personnel in physical c.ducation and recreation, apart from those in the schools, and it is absolutely necessary that instructors, dealing with people of all types and ages, shall be fully qualified and scientifically trained. Therefore, the first essential is to urge on the Government Ihe immediate need for setting tip a training centre, cither in the university or separately, if atty schemes of community centres in recreation are to bo undertaken after the war. It is the Government's task tu provide personnel Io give instruction in leisure-time activities, and we would urge that the trades union movement take steps to urge on the Government the need for it wide extension of facilities and leaders in the recreational field." The report gives an, outline of activities that could be .carried on with fairly limited facilities for a group of SOO workers in factories of close proximity, but not necessarily ol the same trades union. These activities are grouped as follows: — Itecreational.--Active' games, tool bail, basketball, volley ball, hand-ball, cricket, hockey, etc. Social.—Dancing, parties. boys' and girls' clubs, social, music and dramatic activities, community celebrations. Educational. —Drama (plays, pantomimes, pngeantry, educalional plays), music (festivals, bands, orchestras, community concerts, music weeks, etc.), creative art (handcrafts, photography. plastic art. etc,), instructive (forums, debates. public speaking). Civics;.—Public forums, lectures on current topics, civic improvement, holiday celebrations.

Necessary Facilii ies. "For such a programme the facilities necessary would include a building containing a combination gymnasium and hall, or a large hall ami stage, and would have four or five rooms off the ball, which would accommodate at least 50 to 75 people. Otte of these rooms could be larger and used ajt a handcraft workroom. T’referahly the building i-oulil be attached’ to a park, as this would allow for the more organized games like football, cricket, and hockey. ' Basketball and tennis courts are desirable, and • a small playing area equipped with sandboxes, slides, etc., for children. Shade and attractiveness of the grounds should nor be sacrificed for the sake of utility. “Two points are to be remembered — such a centre, does not in any way cut across the present sports organizations, but rather will increase their membership by supplying them with a continual flux of new players, anxious to go further in their games than such a centre could provide. Secondly, teams from the various factories can not only hold tournaments among enter into the city competitions. Instead of having so many on the sideline, with good leadership many of these will be participants. "Another advantage is that during tin' day the children of these workers could well he catered for at the centre, and thus leave more women. particularly, free io go into industry.'' This report sets out reasons why such a programme is needed to assist young people in the factories, as follows: —"(a) Most of them have gone info factories straight from primary school, and never had a chance to play team games or participate in adult activities. Surely an equivalent amount of money which is spent on those pupils attending secondary school should be available to those, young people who go directly .to work after Standard VI or Form II? “(b) It has been proved in Wellington that where enthusiastic leadership was available, activities have been under- . taken.

"(c'l It is important to offer these people the recreation they desire, am! it must be attractive. So much of the recreation offered at present in Xcw Zealand is stale—it. require* rejuvenat-

The election of oßicors resulted: T’resident. .Mr. I'. I’. Walsh ; vice-president. Mr. A. W. Crosker.y: secretary-treasur-er. Mr. I’. E. Warner; trustees, Messrs. 11. Thompson and K, Aid,. Baxter: legislative committee. Messrs F, C. Allerby. AV. A. Fox. A. AL Laird, and E. B. Newton : Workers' Educational Association delegate. .Mr. .1. Gibson; Free Ambulance delegate, Air. F. P. Cornwell: auditor. Air. 11. Bolton: management committee. Messrs. F. C. Allerby, K. Baxter, P. Al. Butler. W. A. Fox. .1. Fleming. P. A. Hansen. E. A. Napier. IT. Thompson, S. Thompson ; National Council delegate. Air. P. AL Butler; disputes committee, Alessrs. W. A. Fo,x anil .1. Fleming: apprenticeship committee. Messrs K. Baxter. J. Gibson. E. B. Newton and H. Thompson.