TOO MUCH CAN BE MADE OF SPORT

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 188, 8 May 1934, Page 8

TOO MUCH CAN BE MADE OF SPORT

And Too Much Fuss of Boys THE PROPOSED VISIT ’ TO MELBOURNE Mr. L. J. Wild, Headmaster of the Feilding Agricultural High School, here discusses the proposal to scud a team of New‘Zealand secondary school athletes to compete in the Melbourne Centenary Games. (To the Editor). Sir, —I have read every word of Mr. Milner’s letter about the plan to send a team of boys to Melbourne. I do not set myself up as one who can say the last word on this or on any other subject, and I know that enough time should be given by schools to train the body for swift, graceful, ready and strong action ; but I also know that too much stress can be placed on this side of school work,’ and that time can be given to games with other schools that could better be spent at home. I know also that it is a good thing to get into touch with our kin in other lands, to be friends with them, and to feel'for and with them, and that one of the many ways in which this can be done is t'be sending of . a team to ruu, jump, and leap with them." But I also think there is something in the point of view that too much can be made of sport and too much fuss made of boys, and that they can in this way lose a sense of values. I did not know that a school in this land, had a wish to get a grant of money from an American corporation, but .Icaiinotseehow this fact bears on the pointe in question, even though the head of the school may be one who does not like the spirit in which sport is- carried on in America. Moreover, if I hud had the means of knowing of such wish, through some spurce not open to the public, I should not think it fair sport to sneer at the school or its head in the Press. * As to the spirit in which games are played in America, I can claim to have had', as good, and perhaps better, chances of getting a right view as Mr. 'Milner has had, and I say as strongly as I can, without using long words, that the spirit in which sport is carried on in American schools and colleges is'not the spirit one would wish to enter into games in this country. The main point, though, is that there are other, and some think lietter ways in which boys of New Zealand can greet their fellows in Australia and even share in their joys.—l am. etc.. L. J. WILD. Feilding, May 7. tinimiHiii! !ijiiiiiiiiiiiit]iiiiiiiii'!i:iii!iiiiiiiiiHiiniiii