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Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1938, Page 2

NO INTERFERENCE

IN PLAYING OF GAMES. COUNCIL OF RECREATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 30. “In the recent controversies that have arisen over the merits and demerits of two allied games there has been more than one suggestion that the Government should interfere and there have been hints of compulsion. I want to make it clear that the council is not going to interfere with the playing of games or with the control of games. It is only going to help controlling bodies -to bring more and more players into the fold.” In these works Mr F. G. Dunne, a member of. the National Council of Recreation and Physical Welfare, at a welcome to the touring Indian hockey team, defined the objects of this organisation, which was recently set up by the Government in prosecution of its campaign for increasing the physical fitness of the nation. After referring to the value of such international tours in' increasing public interest in games, Mr Dunne said he wished to correct two erroneous impressions about the body of which he was a member. It was popularly known as the National Council of Sport, he said, and this was much too narrow a definition. The duties of the council went a long way beyond sport, although sport would be the main vehicle by which,it would carry its work to fruition. The second mistaken impression was that concerning the pos- - sibility of Government interference in the control of sport and" of compul- ■ sion in the playing of games. “Once you compel a man to play a sport it is no longer a sport,” said Mr Dunne. “There are far more on the bank than on the field and you can play your part in the movement by each endeavouring to bring in one laggard. Without your help and the help of all other sportsmen we can no nothing.” Mr L. L. Smith, representative of the Canterbury Hockey Association, had referred previously to the part the council was expected to play in the campaign for national fitness.

“If ever there was a time when fitness was needed it is now,” said Mr Smith. “Anything of a military nature is repugnant to British ideals, but the nation can achieve fitness through sport. At present there are far too many onlookers and if this visiting team, by its example, can bring a few more persons into active participation in sport it will have achieved a very valuable purpose.”