PHYSICAL WELFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1938, Page 8

PHYSICAL WELFARE

MEETING OF COUNCIL. HON. W. E. PARRY’S ADDRESS. (By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day. The first mortgage of the National Council of Physical Welfare was held today at Parliament House. The Hon. W. E. Parry (chairman) made it plain in an address that it was not intended that the council should have a sports contest bias, as the real objective was a nation of fit people, able to fill any place in society and ready for any emergency. He mentioned the importance of a national survey of existing facilities and the necessity for setting up national machinery for the full operation of the legislation. Mr Parry conveyed the best wishes of the Pime Minister to the council and said the Prime Minister assured them that he would do all he could to assist the organisation in the attainment of its objective.

Mr Parry emphasised that the movement embraced the people themselves and declared that they should not expect someone else to do what they themselves should do, could do and must do if the objective was to be realised. There were gymnasiums, swimming baths, sports grounds and buildings to be constructed and all necessary equipment to be obtained. That in itself would entail work'and service in which everyone could play a part, employers and employees. There was much for the council to do. Even at the first meeting he felt that they could share each others confidence in the success they looked for in their work.