"PLAY THE GAME."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 139, 15 June 1938, Page 22

"PLAY THE GAME."

ADVICE TO CHILDREN. ADDRESS BY MR. SAVAGE. (From Ou r Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON N., Tuesday. Following his address at the official opening of the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association's winter show to-day, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, spoke to assembled school children. "It has been wejl said that children are the core of every nation," stated Mr. Savage. "This, of course, does not mean that they are greater than their fathers and mothers and grown-up friends. The saying has many meanings,! but one of the most important m that the nation which looks after the welfare of its children will become strong in the wisdom of ft* futiire men and women. Few countries do more for their children than New Zealand is doing. So much care is given to the health of the little ones that more of them live and grow in strength than in any other country. And this care goes on and on. "All the new schools are being built so that the pupils will get as much sunlight and fresh air as it is possible to obtain. There is no sense in education if one has to learn in misery. With the splendid help of school committees and parents in every district, the Government i* doing everything possible to make school life pleasant as well as instructive. Thousands of children ar» now given free milk every school day. That is not the only thing the State is doing for the children. Mr. Eraser, as Minister of Education, works hard all the time to get more and more facilities for promoting the welfare of boys and girls. Thus every opportunity is being given to enable pupils to become good scholars and clever workers. "What are you going to do with the years that lie ahead?" Mr. Savage asked. "You will all have to do some kind of work, and I hope you will all be ready to do it well and always for the good of your country. Just think of the farm wealth from your own district. What does it signify? It means that your fathers and mothers have done something worth while in taking from the land the products which give prosperity to New Zealand. What are you going to do to make your country better? I cannot give the answer, but let me tell you that nothing is more important than love of home and country and determination to be honest and industrious, knowing that there is always a reward for those whose lives have been useful and good. If I were to speak for hours it would be impossible to say more to you than this: 'Be fond of "your parents and friends; stand up for your country; avoid everything that is mean and vulgar; plav the game and go forward into life with strong bodies and fine thoughts.'"