PHYSICAL WELFARE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3262, 12 May 1943, Page 3

PHYSICAL WELFARE

NO REGIMENTATION

STATEMENT .BY MR PARRY

The Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, remarked at the recent meeting 'of the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation that, despite his several denials of allegations that the Government had in mind a regimentation .scheme for youth, certain critics still persisted with their misrepresentation of the position.

There was no element of compulsion for anybody in the national policy. In its administration of the Act the Department wished to have friend h, helpful co-operation with existing sports bodies and other organisations The officers did not interfere in any way with the domestic concerns of clubs or other bodies'which they were always willing to help with advice or expert instruction. They were working wholly in the ‘national field and wei c in a position to undertake various kinds of important work which no other organisation, public or private, was equipped to do. This kind of ser vice came notably into operation when the Provincial Councils of Sport were being formed. Dr. Beeby, Director of Education, said that the relations of the Departments of Internal Affairs and Education, in the field of physical training and recreation, were of the best.