FITNESS FOR ALL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1940, Page 6

FITNESS FOR ALL

TARANAKI OFFICERS APPOINTMENT SHORTLY WIDE ORGANISATION Aiming at building a fitter nation, the nation-wide physical welfare scheme will soon be in full operation and officers will shortly be appointed in Taranaki to organise the work. Applications have been called for a physical welfare officer for the province and for assistants, of whom there will probably be two. It is not known where the assistants will be stationed but it is likely that they will be at different towns. When the Hon. W. E. Parry was interviewed at New Plymouth a few weeks ago he gave an assurance *t.hat the officers would be appointed and that organisation would commence within a few weeks, commented Mr. W. H. Moyes, Taranaki member of the Physical Welfare Council, yesterday. Training of Leadcrs. He took it that the first duty of the officers after the prelimipary organisation would be to traln leaders who could deal with fairly small groups, Mr. Moyes added. Committees had already been set up in eaeh centre with representatives of local organisatiohs, including sports bodies, and they would play a big part in seeing that the scheme touched as many people as possible. One direction in which good work could be done almost immediately was in the Home Guard. One of the ideas behind the organisation of that force was to get a large body of men fit for any calls that might be made on them. The physical welfare organisation could greatly assist this aspect of training for the guard. Good work was already being done under the physical welfare scheme in the districts round Hamilton and Invercargill where officers had been working for some time, Mr. Moyes said. The experience gained at those centres would be of assistance in the planning of activities in Taranaki.