PHYSICAL TRAINING

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 8

PHYSICAL TRAINING

VIEWS OF COLLEGE HEAD

"I am one of those who believe in physical drill in its right place—l believe it helps self-discipline and makes for physical and mental alertness," said Mr. J. N. Peart, headmaster of King's College, in his report presented at the college Speech Day to-day. "There is, however," Mr. Peart continued, "one thing it cannot do that military training can do. It cannot give boys a sense of responsibility."

Mr. Peart eaid he considered that if a boy was put in charge of a platoon in a mock battle, he immediately felt that he was responsible for its welfare. He had to exercise intelligence and initiative and be prepared to accept responsibility. The headmaster held that such training was of more value than anything a boy coiild get from being a physical drill instructor.

"In these days when everybody shirks responsibility and wants everything made easy for him by the State," said Mr. Peart, "it is essential that we, in the schools, should try to trainl boys for public service, and fit them to shoulder the responsibilities of public life. If not, we shall end with a nation of spineless ne'er-do-wells, quite unable to fend for themselves."