“KEEP FIT WEEK"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 January 1939, Page 7

“KEEP FIT WEEK"

ORGANISATION IN MASTERTON DISCUSSED

PUBLIC MEETING LAST NIGHT.

STRONG COMMITTEE FORMED

“I hope that a small beginning will lead to big things,” remarked the Mayor (Mr. T. Jordan) at a public meeting called last night to discuss a proposal to organise a “Physical Fitness Week” in Masterton. There was a fairly large attendance of representatives of sports, educational, musical and other organisations and the project was taken up enthusiastically. A strong general committee was set up to arrange a compehensive programme. Mr Jordan said he hoped that the campaign would result in the building' up of physical fitness and would show us the way to spend our leisure sensibly and well.

Mr Jordan said the meeting had been called at the express wish of the Minister of Internal Affairs, who desired that a national effort should be made throughout New Zealand for a physical fitness week, from February 18. to February 25. The Mayor added that he had done his best through the medium of the Press to direct the attention of the public to the question of physical recreation and welfare ancr to ensure a large attendance at the meeting. All would admit that there was room for improvement in our physical condition as a nation. Moreover. since 1935 we have had a great deal more leisure at our disposal than previously. Many of us had not been brought up to know how to spend that leisure properly. Some spent it smoking at street corners and others went further afield and did not smoke al all. The Physical Welfare and Recreation Act was a most important act and he believed that by starting at the right end with physical training it might be possible to reduce our hospital bill. It would be prevention and not cure.

The Act was of very wide scope indeed and included cultural and educational developments as well as sports. After referring to statements by the Minister of Internal Affairs on the subject of “Keep Fit Week,” Mr Jordan said he regarded the proposal merely as a demonstration to start the ball rolling for future physical welfare and development. He considered that something should be done in Masterton not only because the Minister desired it, but because he thought it was the right thing to do. On the suggestion of the Mayor, the following general committee was set up from which sub-committees will later be formed: —The Mayor (Mr T. Jordan), Messrs. W. S. L. Dickson, C. E. Rogers, E. M. Hodder, P. Fagan, W. H. Saunders, H. P. Glen. J. A. Kennedy, J. C. D. Mackley, A. Allsop. C. Spiers, Misses E. Donald and R. Edwards, with power to add. In the course of a general discussion several worth while suggestions were forthcoming, including an invitation to those interested to visit either the Masterton or the Park bowling greens. An offer was received from the Masterton Amateur Swimming Club to cooperate by organising a Learn-’o-Swim Week and by arranging lifesaving demonstations. It was decided that the general committee meet tonight in the Municipal Buildings at 5 o'clock. Mr Jordan said he was sorry that more people had not come forward to show their interest in this very important question of physical welfare and recreation.