GUARD PHYSIQUE!

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 549, 2 July 1909, Page 6

GUARD PHYSIQUE!

REJECTS FROM TRAINING SHIP.

ADVICE COMMANDER BLUNT.

A danger whioh may threaten tho physique of the coming generation of Now Zealanders was referred to by Commandor Blunt, of ihe Pioneer, in a Bpcoch made by 'him, with much dimdence, at the Navy League demonstration last overung. Tho commander said he considered it a groat honour to command tho New Zealand drill ship. He detailed New Zealand's patriotic and athletic exploits/ which he accounted a groat record. But even in New Zealand thero'was room for improvement. The physical development of the coming generation required consideration. The preeontf generation of grown men comprised some of the finest men in the world, but it was desirable to watch tho physique of tho coming generation. In 1908, 106 applications were received for enrolment on the Pioneer, under the Australasian naval agreement. They were from men under twenty-two years o f age—the majority of them were eighteen and nineteen years of age—and, out of that number no fewer than 54 had to be medically rejected, of whom 25 wore rejected on account of physical malformations. • During May and June of the present year, ho had had 111 applications, tho majority of them again from young men of eighteen and nineteen years, and, out of that number, 61 had been* rejected, including 26 who were refused because of physical malformations. The percentage of rejections under the same medical examination in England was only 42. Ho wanted to bring this to the" notice of fathers and of educational authorities, because he thought it was only necessary for the fact to bo known for it , to be re- 1 m-edkd. He had spoken to several people in authority, and they gave the idea that it was brought about through the ' children working too young, and carrying weights at an early ago. It was nearly always tho right side that dropped. If the children must assist 'in dairying, and must assist their mothers in tho dearth of domestic servants, they should be made to carry smaller loads, and to carry them evenly, both sides. There was no need for panic m, regard to tho position, but it could be talked over, he believed, ,without giving or taking offence. Ho mentioned tho matter because in the time "of ,3tress it was necessary to rely on the manliness of a people. L6rd Charles Boresford had'worked out tho cost of a small war, lasting",',not more than -throe months, in which Great Britain should be victorious, at 1500 million pounds. If Great Britain lost, then, as Lord Charles Borosford said, "good night." r - With regard to tho men who were taken for training on tho Pioneer, the endeavour was mado to dovolop them physically and morally, ■and to bioaden their minds. Tho figures giving the results of'training showed an incroase in wqjght of 10Ih. in three months, and 'an increase m chest measurement up to 11 inches. To that extent'the authorities were trying to do their best for Now Zealand's boys. Ho urged that when they left the ship, as they did between tho ages of 23 and 25, peoplo should try to give'them work. A man had told ho had, no use for sailors; they'were jib'ver any use. "I asked him," said Commander Blunt, "if be would like to pick out any of our ship's company and give them a job. He said, 'No, they were inferior. . They are not inferior. I have got 140 New Zealanders, and I want you to realise that they are some of the best material I have over bad to handle. I have been engaged in training duties for sis years 'before coming here, "training boys and men, and the New Zealanders yon have given me —those I oould take as being physically fit—are - the finest lot of follows I have had to deal with in tho service. I only brought the other figures before you because I fool that if you like you can give mo cent, per cent, tho same as the men VI have been taking."