FOR A FITTER NATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 9, 11 January 1941, Page 8

FOR A FITTER NATION

Though the results of the medical examination of recruits for the defence forces, and the percentage of rejections for unfitness, have been queried as a criterion of the physical condition of New Zealand's manhood, there is certainly an uneasy feeling that the standard of fitness in this country is not as high as it should be. It was to meet the need for a better system of physical training that legislation of a wide scope was passed by the Government in its first term of office. Owing to various

circumstances progress in the introduction of such a scheme seems to have been somewhat slow, but it is gratifying to note that a start has been made with the schools of the Dominion under the Superintendent of Physical Education appointed under the Act, Mr. P. A. Smith ells, who explained the syllabus adopted in an address to the Catholic teachers' conference this week. The point he made, which is borne out by practical experience and observation, is that in the schools of the past the essential qualities of the normal "oung body, flexibility and agility, were lost, in some cases, because of unsuitable forms of exercises. The •Id style of physical drill was never •■>npular in school? and was robbed much practical benefit by lack of ■nferest on the part of the pupil. The •>p\v syllabus, the director explained, "inoaled to the Hiilriven because il •* a* based on n sludv of (heir own •ppd? and interests rather than on nine adult-conreiverl notion of what n'as good for them. " Development ■long the new lines undoiibtedh ■ romise? good results, and the principle? might well be carried forward -ight through the school year? into

'he period of adolescence until the ■'It of physical fitness ip established Hnrr fm a fitter nation.