FITNESS FIRST

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 119, 16 November 1937, Page 8

FITNESS FIRST

In' moving [he second reading of tlie Physical Welfare and Recreation Bill in the House of Representatives last night the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) rightly declared that "the most precious jewel in lift: is good health and physical fitness," and that "one of tlie best legacies we can hand down to future generations is a good healthy physique." The Bill is designed to promote that worthy object, and as'such has been welcomed with general approval. In itself and by itself it would be too optimistic to assume that a single measure of this character—the details have been widely - discussed—is capable of achieving the whole object of making the nation fit. The Minister himself agreed that the physical fitness of the race went back further than the schools and had its roots in the food the people ate and the nature and contents of the soil in which it was grown. There was, he said, today no need for a plea of ignorance of the importance to health of a well-haianced diet. Diet and nutrition, subjects on which much has been heard of late, do not come within the direct scope of the Bill, nor do lionising and living conditions generally, not mentioned by the Minister. These are all factors in the problem of fitness, or the lack of it, that cannot be overlooked if the best, results are to be attained. What the Bill proposes to do is to create and, if they already exist-, to co-ordinate all possible facilities for physical exercise and recreation. Centres are to be established for social activities, and a National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation is to be set up, under thr chairmanship of the Minister, charged with the responsibility of advising the Government on questions relating lo general physical training, sport,'recreation, and similar activities. Power is given to make grants towards tho expenses of local authorities or voluntary organisations in providing-the necessary facilities and equipment for physical training and sport of the widest description. It is clear that the success of the measure will largely depend on the personnel of the National Council and on local cooperation with its aims and activities. In this respect the Bill resembles' the British Act. There is nothing compulsory about either. In any Voluntary system the essence is good will towards it, and it is for this the Minister appeals. The contention of an Opposition critic. (Mr. Hargest) that the Bill gives all the power to v the Minister is hardly horns out by the facts. The Minister's own enthusiasm for physical fitness is well known, and his-chairmanship of the National Council should provide a directing and, possibly, n driving force that may well be needed at the initiation of a new policy. More important is Mr. Ilargest's. suggestion that the Minister should concentrate on physical training and leave the extension of the national games of llie country to individual enterprise, Without goin^ quite so far we think 'l nr" anc"Iry t" ur"f-. as we have urged brfnrp. that nil-round physical fUrses* is the ■'gor.lv an'l l!i.".t this *hfuild not be overlooked in the national .organisation of national sports. ''. ■