PHYSICAL FITNESS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 161, 24 June 1935, Page 7

PHYSICAL FITNESS

VALUE OF SPORTS

Preferred to Military Work ADDRESS BY REV. F. L. FROST That tho playing fields and physical ctilture contribute more largely, and with infinitely more beneficial results, to fitness, both physical and mental, than military training was the opinion strongly expressed by the Rev, F. L. Frost in the course of his special address to representatives of various sports bodies at All Saints’ Church, Taradale, last night.

“The question of physical fitness,” said the speaker, “has recently been associated with a demand for military training a s a means to that end. I have no intention of going into the subject of military training in general. The reasonable conclusion to draw at present is that whilst society is on a war basis it is extremely difficult for a country such as ours to be entirely indifferent to the means of defence. The aim of statesmen and citizens alike should be to eliminate war as a mode of settling disputes between nations. Thia is not an impossibility, and the feverish building up of armaments is decidedly against the cause of peace. There is a more excellent way, and it is our duty to find it and walk in it.

“But in particular, the claim that carrying a rifle and forming fours is good physical training cannot be regarded as very strong. Military drill and discipline may be very necessary in their place, but they will certainly not produce the finest specimens of manhood. Our playing fields contribute more to the physical fitness and, I would add, mental alertness of our manhood than all the military drill in the world can ever do. SOLDIERING FOR BOYS. “Definitely I contend that soldiering for boys under sixteen, or eighteen even, should be taboo,” said Mr. Frost. “Instead of the cadet svstem, complete with rifles, etc., it would pay the nation handsomely to demilitarise that system, and give the time allowed to qualified instructors in physical culture. Displays of rhythmic movement, of acrobatics, of tests demanding endurance, skill, and s“ocd, would look just as well as cadets on the drill ground manoeuvring, and would give every boy a real chance to develop and demonstrate his prowess. If it be a question of what is tho finest contribution we could make towards physical fitness for our young and growing boys, military drill is not in the hunt with clean, vigorous and interesting athletic training. Physical culture gives the girls a. chance, too. “At the present time it is almost eertain that many young folk are not receiving proper nourishment, and a foundation is being laid for a C 3 population. My contention is that the nation’s leaders should seek to build up a strong and healthy youth in our land, and that this can best be done by closer attention to tho physical needs of the people, and by starting with our boys and girls. The way to this is not by military training, but by physical training. Should the time ever unfortunately como when they have to defend their country against an invader, given sound bodies and clear minds and a desire to glorify God, we need have no fear of them rising to the occasion. COMPULSORY PHYSICAL CULTURE.

“A distinct demand is apparent in •ur social life to-day for the proper encouragement of games that will make for the production of the finest types of manhood and womanhood,” Mr. Froet continued. “I would like to see physical culture made compulsory for everybody up to 50 years of age, both boys and girls, and men and women. And to that end it would be necessary for the expert in physical culture to be invested ■with the authority and honour we now give to our military officers. It would also be necessary to provide adequate facilities for training, such as gymnasia, open-air stadia, and other requirements. The money spent in such a direction would be a better national investment than the purchase of rifles that will never be used, or of guns that are already obsolete, or of any and all tho impedimenta of war. Given a fit and alert population you need never fear the invader. “Nobody in the wide world who is blessed with any measure of sanity, let alone humanity, wants war. It has been proved a failure as a means ol settling disputes between nations, and it has proved ruinous to the physical and moral well-being of the race. Millions died of starvation and disease aa a direct consequence of the last war, to say nothing of the multitudes of maimed soldiers and civilians produced by it. The next war will be more ghastly still, and will load men into a depth of cynicism and unbelief that may prove fatal to Christinity and all man's attempts to glorify God. “We must insist that our world shall bo guarded against the horrible depredations of another great war, for it will glorify neither God nor man. Therefore, because military training is not calculated to make for the fitness of men as much as physical culture will do; and because the less militaryminded the nations become the better. I claim that it is the policy of wisdom tnd comnionscnse to make the race fit ky other methods. PEACE HAS HER VICTORIES "‘Why be fit if not for war’ I have quoted in this address a few examples of men who were never soldiers, and never fought in any wars, but who yet needed first-class physical nnd mental qualities to perform the work they did,” said Mr. Frost. ‘‘War is not the only great adventure life has to offer. ‘Peace has her victories no less renowned than war." Men of strength and trains and heart arc wanted today to ma\ our world a better place to live in. Spoit has been internationalised. aud an army from New Zcnlam ■will shortlv be setting out to delermni. jvho js superior uu the playing fielu.-

of Britain. It will be man against man and all will say, ‘Let the best sidwin,’ If we must have our nationa. prides and prejudices, why not deciur the issue of who is tho best on the playing field rather than the battle field. In tho ago of leisure which it dawning, the fittest athletes of the na tions will have wonderful opportunitie: of testing their prowess against eacl other. “Peace is clamouring not merely for fit bodies, but for fit minds. The social order is 'in process of being reconstructed, and it is every citizen’s duty to keep mentally alert to the changes, and to contribute a share of thought and endeavour to tho task of rebuilding the world. You will find that a task worthy- of tho best you have to offer. ‘‘l conclude with the hope that you will not forget Paul’s words, ‘Wherefore glorify God in your bodies and in your spirits, which are God’s.’ Sport is only a means to an end. Culture is the same. Man will only reach his highest and best when he humbly and earnestly seeks to gain praise for God by his attainments and work.”