A WORTHY CAUSE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 68, 22 March 1933, Page 6

A WORTHY CAUSE

(To the.Editor.)

Sir, —It is with regret that we read in the "Evening Post" that there is a danger of the Children's Health Camp having to be disbanded, if no further funds for the maintenance and continuation of the camps are forthcoming. If any movement was ever worthy of the wholehearted interest and support of the whole community, it is surely the Health Camp. The promoters of tln3 movement and those engaged in the management o£ the camp are doing a splendid service in assisting to 'build up the foundation of a sound body and mind in the younger generation, in whom the future welfare of our. country depends, and the thanks and gratitude of the public are due to those engaged in the movement.

To anyone with human understanding it is reasonable to suppose that ' the unsettled state of mind existing amongst all in these times of adversity may have a tendency to increase the gambling spirit; and a great many today, in order to forget immediate troubles, spend their money from much-curtailed incomes on the races and other forms or sport. Sport is a good thing in moderation, and helps to .develop the young both physically and mentally, and also morally, in the building of character, for a healthy body is a healthy mind. But it is not the business of the country, and we cannot live by means of it. It will not rebuild the economic structure and prosperity. Just let the sport-lovers stop . and think. Do they not realise that the money they can ill-afford might well be spent in some more worthy object? Are they not sacrificing the health and future welfare 01 the young children, who will some day be the manhood 'of the country, by indulging in selfish desires? We have lead in the past the views o£ physical eulturlsts, scientists, and others that we, as a race, are deteriorating. This may be true or otherwise, but our duty lies in the welfare of the children. Give them a chance, that they may be built-up with a sound body and intellect, that they may he fit to tattle with the problems of the future and will uphold the tt-aditions of our race and this good little country. Many of these ..children of late have not been receiving sufficient sustenance. During the period of absence at the camp of one or two young members of a family, the parents are relieved of the burden for a time of providing for all. It minimises the worry, and they are content in the knowledge that in the camp they have every comfort and are well provided fcr and looked after. , Let the people make an effort to transfer some of their hard-earned surplus cash to the support of a good cause, one of the best introduced into the country, and support the Children's Health Camp.-I am