RAISING MONEY FOR PATRIOTIC PURPOSES.

Evening Star, Issue 16676, 7 March 1918, Page 2

RAISING MONEY FOR PATRIOTIC PURPOSES.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir, —Considering that we have devised a great many schemes for raising mouov for patriotic purposes, would it not be desirable to encourage athletic games as a commendable means for raising money for such purposes? Seeing the great number of people who attend horse races, picture shows, and other forms of amusement. I fail to see why such healthy and invigorating exercises as athletic sports should be given up. This war and the IlnssianJapaneso War have shown us very clearly the great value of health, endurance, and education; and it must be evident to every intelligent person that athletics helps to promote health, endurance, agility, and strength of body and mind. It is'well known that the Japanese, who have been teaching health and defensive exercises in their schools, can go much further than other soldiers in a long march. Although there are great numbers of our young men away fighting for justice and humanity, we have still a great manv youths, rejects, and prospective spectawho would be willing to make such patriotic and athletic undertakings a financial and spectacular success. During the 30 years that i competed in pedestrian events I noticed that onlookers took more interest in step-dancincr than in any of the other sports. I observe also that the entrance of well-known first-class athletes deterred second and third-class men from competing.—l am.etc. „-.,,. „ r A. Lawrence. Waitati, March 6.