Avoiding Wasted Leisure

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 13

Avoiding Wasted Leisure

Sir,—With the advent of the 40-hour week in industry, I was just thinking how the people would be able to spend the Saturday which is so sacred to our Labour Government. Would a great number of the workers dissipate their wages on Saturday in drinking and riotous living, or would they devote the time jto work at home in competition with i their employers!? Mr. Savage will soon I be going Home to England to disease defence schemes with the Imperial Government. The warlike condition in Europe and the failure of the League of Nations to keep the war doge in check, will make war preparedness in the Empire a matter of urgent necessity. It has been rumoured that the Labour Government is going to commence intensive military training and physical culture, so as to raise the physique of the nation. Could we not suggest to the powers that be that this matter be taken up with earnestness and they put an urgent Act through th.’ House to give effect to this immediately the 40-hour week is applied to industry? And, further, we would suggest that almen and women between the ages of 16 and 46 be eligible for compulsory physical training or military drill, What finer spectacle could we have than a nation of supreme physical and mental fitness? We would suggest to Mr. Savage that he give the reality of wasted leisure the running shoes and lay the foundation for an Al man and womanhood in New Zealand. We feel sure that when he sits at the great round table in London he will receive a big pat on the back when he tell.-* the Imperial statesmen that New Zelami is not going to waste the opportunity of having 'four hours’ compulsory drill and physical culture each Saturday morning, whether it is wet or fine. We trust our suggestion will receive the immediate attention of the Labour Government. We would also like to warn Mr. Savage and his colleagues to meditate upon the failure of the Labour Government in England to strengthen the defences of the Empire. 'There is no question but ■ they miserably and consciously failed on this point. The Empire to-day on account of the weak-kneed policy of Mr. MacDonald is unable to cheek Italy in her bloodthirsty policy in Abyssinia. Had a better and stronger and more practical Government been in power, such a state of things would not obtain. Britain's unpreparedness to-day is due to the failure of the Labour Government in England. We trust our New Zealand Labour Government will profit by this lesson, which makes us feel ashamed to-day. We hope to see the man and womanhood of New Zealand raised to the highest altitude. An earnest consideration of . our suggestion to compel all workers on Saturday to undergo four hours’ compulsory military and physical training will soon raise the stature of our people to something better than it is to-day. It will dissipate the agitator and the humbug from our midst, and compel them to respect their nationhood: and allow others, it they are inclined, to improve themselves. 'Thanking you, sir. and trusting some good use will be made of this extra day of leisure we are to have whether we need it or not: and further that the Labour Barty will do something more than shorten hours, raise prices and force men and women to be idle and get into mischief. Here is an excellent opportunity to prove that Labour has the interest and welfare of our nation and Empire at heart.-— 1 ant. etc.. SEMPER. FT DEF.-IS Wanganui. May 12.