LEISURE & SPORT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 26, 10 November 1936, Page 2

LEISURE & SPORT

THE NEED FOR DISCIPLINE. DR. LOVELOCK’S OPINIONS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 9. A Government reception was tendered] to Dr. J. E. Lovelock at Parliament Buildings to-day, when there was a distinguished gathering, which included representatives of all branches of sport. Tho Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) said it was a privilege to welcome Dr. Lovelock—one of the world’s greatest athletes—to his native land. During the last few minutes his thoughts had turned to New Zealand as a producer of great men and women. He recalled the boxer, Bob Fitzsimmons, and the scientist, Lord Rutherford, and said that one could go on mentioning famous New Zealanders who had made history and put their country on the map. Of these, Dr Lovelock was not the least. Mr Savage referred in high terms of praise to Dr. Lovelock’s performance in Berlin, and said that perhaps in future Dr. Lovelock would be able to help New Zealand to develop a race of people second to none in the world. If he had the welfare of his own people in his soul, New Zealand would no doubt be able to find a place for him. Dr. Lovelock, who was received with musical honours, said: “Mr Savage has said I have helped to put New Zealand on the map, but New Zealand is already on the map. I am sure it is a pleasure for anybody from New Zealand to do something to make the country a little better known, and for myself it will be the r ery greatest pleasure to be able to do some small mite in that respect. But what is much more important to a little Dominion like ours is to have a reputation for integrity in business, and all nations of the British Empire do enjoy that reputation. It is tilings like that w r hich have really put New Zealand on the map. “The Prime Minister has stressed the important of sport. Now that we are coming to a 40-hour week,” continued Dr. Lovelock, “our whole object should he not only to fit .a man for his job, but also to fit a man for an adequate and proper use of his leisure. When this country sacrificed compulsory military service some years ago, we lost some measure of discipline which is so necessary for the youth of any country. I personally have seen the results in Germany and Italy, and also in the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Three youths are carefully drilled and controlled, and the effect on them is very strikiing, and one comes to appreciate their clean outlook. Whether that sort of thing is so necessary in a young country like this is scarcely for me to say.” Dr. Lovelock went on to' say that they were talking in New Zealand of a national health scheme, which was at last being taken up by the British Government. If Ndw Zealand decided to follow in England’s footsteps lie was sur e that there would he found in New Zealand and abroad people who would do their best to make the scheme a success, and) people who would be anxious to take a full part in the national life. ' “I do not know what my movements will be, but I do feel there is a big need at present for some such organised mental and moral discipline in this country, no less than, in many other countries. I shall leave the matter there.”

Speaking later at the civic reception, Dr. Lovelock said that the Olympio Games were gradually becoming a serious matter. He felt that few people in New Zealand realised just how serious they were for those who took part, but the main thing was that New Zealand should be represented, and that New Zealanders who attained some high degree of performance in their own country should have the opportunity of carrying their country’s flag with the representatives of other nations of the world. As one who had borne New Zealand’s flag, he wanted to say that it was something that was appreciated.