PHYSICAL HEALTH

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 36, 11 August 1937, Page 7

PHYSICAL HEALTH

NATIONAL COUNCIL

OLYMPIC BODY'S PLAN

LOTTERIES FOR FUNDS

The formation of a national council, to be called the National Council of Physical Health and Recreation, was recommended in the report of the sub-committee of the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association which was appointed to consider the Hon. W. E. Parry's proposal for the establishment of a National Council of Sport in New Zealand. The report, which was tabled at a meeting of the Olympic Games Council last night, also recommended that compulsory physical training of the youth of the comnvinity should be continued until at least the age of 21 years, and with a view to assisting to obtain funds to carry out the work the inauguration of lotteries was suggested and also the appropriation of the proceeds of the amusement tax. The repo-t was adopted, subject to the deletion of the arjvocacr'of training after school age and certain minor ( amendments.

The committee stated that it was strongly of the opinion that there should be no compulsion exercised against individuals to take part in any particular sport; it thought that the best method to achieve the object of general participation in healthy sport was by providing facilities and equipment and the necessary stimulus. The control of individual sports, the committee thought, should be left to the existing national organisations.

The paramount functions of the Council of Physical Health and Recreation, the committee suggested, should^ be to organise and control compulsory physical education in the schools, subject to the necessary medical examination, using the latest methods in organised recreational games. Compulsory physical education j should be continued until at least the j age of 21 years. ' | SPORTS FACILITIES. The committee recommended a comprehensive survey of existing facilities for sport and of the reasonable requirements for sports with a view to co-ordination of effort in providing such facilities as might be .necessary and desirable. It advocated that the council in all possible ways should encourage national interest in physical fitness and in healthy sports and should as far as possible inculcate the spirit of true sportsmanship in the daily lives of the people.

The council, it was suggested, should be constituted as follows:—Representatives of the Internal Affairs, Health, and Education Departments, the British Medical Association, from each of the national sports organisations of the Olympic Association, and from school organisations. The establishment of an executive was also recommended, this to consist of representatives of the Government, British Medical Association, school organisations, and at least five representatives of national sports organisations to be elected by the sports representatives on the- council, and one representative of the Olympic Association.

Other recommendations by the committee were that the council should meet twice a year or more often if necessary, and the executive at least once monthly; the establishment of district councils in each of the main centres; provision for an annual conference of the council and representatives of district councils; and finally that, the principles enunciated in the Physical Training and Recreational Bill (England) be adhered to as far as practicable.

Members also had before them copies of a resume of the Physical Training and Recreation Bill introduced into the Hou^a of Commons at Home. The purpose of this Bill is to provide for the development of facilities for, and the encouragement of, physical training and recreation, and to facilitate the establishment of centres for social .activities.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

The chairman (Mr. H. McCormick) said it would be seen that the report of the sub-committee emphasised physical education rather than the control of sports bodies.

Mr. P. N. Rundle (Swimming Association) questioned the desirability of any compulsory physical education. There was no compulsion in the British Bill and he personally would hate to see it in this country. Children could be educated as to the advantages of physical' education and recreation. The clause, he thought, was a dangerous one.

Mr. P. Coira suggested that the clause should be altered to read that the paramount functions of the council should be to encourage and develop physical education in the schools, etc. He moved along these lines, but the motion, seconded by Mr. Rundle, was defeated, and the clause remained, but in the next clause urging compulsory physical training of the youth of the community until at least the age of 21 years, the word "compulsory" was dropped.

Mr. N. Oldershaw said he thought the latter clause .was a very desirable one. If the position which it sought to have established could be brought about he thought that many young fellows who did not participate in sport today would be found doing so. "TOO MUCH COMPULSION." Mr. Rundle said he strongly objected to any compulsion. ■ It must be a question of education first and foremost. There was too much compulsion in this country now. A man could not blow his nose.

Mr. H. Renai and Mr. A. D. Bayfeild also spoke against the compulsion aspect of this clause.

Mr. J. D. Willis said that if young fellows would 101 l about the streets it was in the interests of the State that physical training of youths should be compulsory.

Mr. Coira said he did not like the idea of compulsion in this clause. He suggested that it would be better to carry on from the schools by providing means whereby physical training could bg, continued by affording facilities for youth up to the age of 21.

Mr. H. Amos said it was to the benefit of the country that more care and guidance should be given to the young people between the ages of 16 and 21. Although he felt some form of physical education or training should be continued after school age, said Mr. McCormick, he thought it perhaps would be unwise to advocate compulsory training up to the age of 21. The word "compulsion" was deleted from the clause. THE LOTTERIES PROPOSAL. The committee's recommendation for the establishment of lotteries to provide some of the funds provoked some keen discussion.

Mr. Rundle said he thought the suggestion of lotteries was a dangerous one for the Olympic Association to put forward. If a regular system of lotteries was instituted, he thought the feelings of many people would be in-

jured. He supported the appropriation of the amusement tax.

Mr. Amos strongly supported the inauguration of lotteries, contending that a good deal of hypocrisy existed in New Zealand on the matter.

The two clauses were not altered. It was decided to send on tht Import as amended to the MinistHf,