Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, JAN. 27, 1938. THE SUMMER DEATH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 27 January 1938, Page 10

Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, JAN. 27, 1938. THE SUMMER DEATH.

Hew Zealand this summer has enjoyed a period of bountiful sunshine and hot days which has unfortunately brought in its train a sad loss of life from drowning accidents. Though we are not singular in this respect, the fact cannot be gainsaid that the incidence of death from the cause mentioned is far too high. Since the week prior to Christmas no less than thirty-five people haVe lost their lives either thrmigh swimming, fishing, or boating accidents, and a similar number have been saved through the efforts of accomplished swimmers from an untimely fate. A large proportion of the deaths. have concerned children and youths, who have lost their lives simply because they were not able to swim, or else were unable to extricate themselves from a difficult position through lack of knowledge of what to do. To-day many people are enjoying leisure to a considerably greater extent than formerly, and it is only natural that they should at the’ week-ends seek the pleasure of the sea beaches or rivers, and either indulge in swimming or boating with sad consequences to their families when accidents have happened. Late in November the Minister of Public Works, when speaking at a Taranaki function, drew pointed attention to the loss of life annually from drowning, and in the following month a learn-to-swim week was held in the schools and public baths to make children and youths more proficient in the art. The Canterbury Education Board, shocked at the high incidence of deaths again this summer, has now proposed that swimming should be made a compulsory subject in the schools, lo be effective such a proposal means the provision of facilities where they do not now exist, and that, may be quite beyond the ability of some schools. How to lessen the incidence is the problem for the authorities. There is, certainly, the obligation upon parents to see that their children are adequately trained in swimming and life-saving. More and more are facilities being provided in places away from the sea for children and others, to participate in this summer pastime, and they should be encouraged to use them to the fullest advantage. School teachers display a marked enthusiasm in coaching their youthful charges in the art and they have achieved a great success. Life-saving organisations, too, have done commendable work and like teachers are always ready to coach young people in both swimming and life-saving.

Compulsory tuition in schools may be readily accepted in principle, but the disadvantage is to make it universal. In view of this it behoves parents to encourage their children to become as proficient as possible in the natatorial art so that the risk of fatalities occurring will be reduced.