NATIONAL SCHOOL OPPOSED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22436, 24 June 1938, Page 12

NATIONAL SCHOOL OPPOSED

PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES AT FOUR CENTRES SOUGHT VIEWS OF AUCKLAND TRAINING COLLEGE PRINCIPAL (THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, June 23. Strong opposition to any centralisation of the proposed national school of physical education was expressed by Mr D. M. Rae, principal of the Auckland Teachers’ Training College. Mr Rae disagreed with the claim made in an interview at Dunedin with “The Press” by Professor C. E. Ilereus, Dean of the Medical Faculty in the University of Otago, that Dunedin was the natural place in which to establish the new school, and. held that there should be a course leading to a diploma of physical education available at each university centre in New Zealand.

“The academic work could be provided at the university colleges, and tne practical course could be done at the four training colleges, with their properly-staffed and equipped gymnasia,” Mr Rae said. “Among the principal disadvantages of centralising the scheme, particularly in Dunedin, is the distance from other and larger centres, and the consequent expense of travel..

"This, in the case of Auckland students, would mean that only the sons and daughters of the moneyed classes could undertake such a course. Dunedin already has the medical school, but there Is no reason .why physical education should be allied to this, the aim of physical education being prevention rather than cure.

“I believe that the four training colleges are the places for practical training in physical education. With such a scheme students in any one of the four university centres could take the course with a minimum of expense and travel. “We already , place great emphasis on physical education in Auckland; in fact, we devote more time to that work than to anything else. We are equipped now to undertake practical training in this important work, and will be better equipped when we have our new gymnasium, for which a gram has already been made. Stimulus to Local Leaders

“The director of school hygiene. Dr, Elizabeth Gunn, has called the Auckland Training College the finest in New Zealand,” Mr Rae said. “Why, men, must our students and others g. to Dunedin to complete their specialised study? “No centre has the right to a monopoly in this matter. A well-equipped training centre in each of the four mam cities would be a great stimulus to local leaders, and the community generally, whereas a remote centre like Dunedin would be out of touch with provincial areas, where it is hoped there will be wide interest in the work.

“Long before the public began to think of physical education in its present form, the training colleges were giving attention to training in swimming and life-saving, athletics and organised physical education. They are therefore entitled to regard themselves as the legitimate centres of training. Suggested Course for Diploma

“I believe that it is necessary that well-qualified instructors should possess diplomas, and would gladly cooperate with the university in making this possible,” said Mr Rae. “I have, in fact, given notice of motion to the Auckland University College Council suggesting that the college should provide a course of physical education, leading to the granting of a diploma.” Pending further consideration of the matter. Miss Agnes Kennedy and Dr. T. H. Pettit, of Auckland, members of the National Council of Physical Welfare and. Recreation, declined to make statements. They said an official statement would be made later.