MILITARY PHYSICAL TRAINING TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 105, 3 May 1912, Page 5

MILITARY PHYSICAL TRAINING TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — Ac a Territorial, and I may say «on enthusiast in physical training, I wish to bring under your notice a matter of considerable "importance — "Tho Physical r l raining of tho Defence Force" ! On several occasions the Commandant (General Godley) is reported to have eaid that the training of the Senior Cadets ii> to be oue of phyeieaT training — in hia own words a ''School of Physical Training." Its the Department sincere? Who are we going to havo as physical training instructors? . A« it is ab present we ha\o tiie sovgCimt ioßtructcrs, but lliey are not- qualified to tetu.ii

physical training. They havo had, no doubt, a slight course, and to ut>e their own words, "from a man who knows lees than themselves," the result being that no two instructors hold the came ideas on physical training. Officers are not examined in physical training when sitting ior promotion-; therefore, they know less than the sergeant instructors. Just imagine a. man with very little physique standing before a tsquau teaching them how to build up their physique. We have expert military instructors; why not expert physical instructors — the same as they have in England— (several in every battalion)? Or at least let us have someone who is qualified to direct Uie physical training of the Defence Forces and look well after the amateur physical instructor. I have in my possession a> copy of the Manual of Physical Training (1908), and I can safely say that I have seen our sergeant instructors introducing physical exercises in such a manner, that had ifc been the infantry training manual^ they would have been classed as incompetent. In conclusion., I would ask you to lest my argument by visiting ■ any of the drillhallu, take with you a, manual of phyeical .training, pnd you will see for yourself. I have no doubt that you will come to tho came conclusion as I did myself. — I am, etc., SENIOR CADET. 2nd May.