A critical analysis of the 1937 Physical Welfare and Recreation Act and of government involvement in recreation and sport, 1937-1957

Abstract

This in-depth study of New Zealand's first experiment in Government assistance to recreation and sport is divided into eight chapters. Chapter One analyses the social and economic conditions in New Zealand at the time of the passing of the country's first Legislative Act relating to recreation and sport. Chapter Two outlines this Act, the 1937 Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, in detail, and provides contemporary comments and criticism from politicians, newspapers and the public generally. Chapter Three deals with the machinery set up to implement the 1937 Act,and describes the effects that this machinery had in facilitating greater opportunities for public participation in recreation. Chapter Four analyses the Government's recreation programme, specifically, that undertaken and promoted by the Physical Welfare Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs, between 1939-1957. Chapter Five deals with the financial assistance and funding of the programme by Government between 1937-57. Chapter Six summarises the 1948-49 Public Service Commission Committee Report on Physical Welfare and Recreation, and outlines the criticism of the programme and the Physical Welfare Branch apparent after 1949. Chapter Seven describes the eventual demise of the Physical Welfare Branch and suggests reasons for this demise. Chapter Eight summarises the period under study and includes discussion on the successes and failures of the recreation programme.