DIRECTOR ARRIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 12

DIRECTOR ARRIVES.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

> N.Z. CONDITIONS IDEAL.

"Xew Zealand, with its climatic conditions, could be among the foremost nations in physical- education," said Miss Helen Macdonald, of Canada, who arrived in Auckland in the Aorangi yesterday. Miss Macdonald, who is a graduate of McGill University of Montreal, and who has also studied at Mac Master University, Hamilton, and Queen's University, Kingston, will leave this week for Wellington, where she will join the staff of the Y.W.C.A. for the purpose of training girls in physical education. "Many countries have not yet realised the true value of physical education," said Miss Macdonald. "It can be a vital force in the shaping of a nation," she continued, "and Xew Zealand, which is presumably a democracy, could use this form of education for stimulating an understanding of co-operation, selfdiscipline, tolerance and leadership among the younger people." In stressing physical education as a definite force for democracy, Miss Macdonald pointed out how in European countries, Germany in particular, physical education was being used for national purposes. Miss Macdonald pointed out, however, that Germany was using her physical education as a means towards increasing military strength, whereas in a democratic country like Xew Zealand such an education could be employed in the training of better citizens.

In discussing her plane for physical educational work in Xew Zealand, Miss Macdonald spoke of the need for a national background for physical work. "It would be useless," she explained, "to introduce into a young and active country methods such as used in an older country like Sweden. The national background of physical education should evolve from the j>eople themselves, for a foreign system imposed upon the people will defeat the ultimate aim of creating a feeling of pleasure, wellbeing and fitness.

"Physical education In a democratic country," continued Miss Macdonald, "should be run on a system which embraces the teaching of co-(tperation and at the same time encourages individual personality. Xew Zealand is still a pioneering country, and in consequence national sports of a more active nature should be encouraged." As well as studying at Canadian universities, Miss Macdonald spent three years at the Summer School, Columbia, Xew York, and she was enthusiastic in her praise of what the Americans were doing in the way of physical education.