IN THE COMMONS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1937, Page 5

IN THE COMMONS

SECOND READING

PHYSICAL TRAINING BILL

(Per British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, Anri’ 7

The second reading of the Physical Training and Recreation Bill designed to give effect to the Government’s scheme for improving the health and physique of the nation, was moved in the llnu.m of Commons by the Minister for Education (Mr Oliver Stanley), who claimed that both the object and the dotaiis of the scheme had met with gem-vsl approval.

.Mr ,H. B. Lees-Smith, for the Labour Party, expressed fear that the scheme was directed too much towards meeting the needs of blackcoated workers and the requirements of workers in factories and mines.

For tho Liberals Sir Francis Ackland emphasised the vital mi pm tauce of a parallel campaign for bettor nutrition, but •both speakers gave qualified support. to the measure.

Lord Burghlev, who is chairman of the Advisory Council proposed mnder the bill, said that they wore not out to piodueo champions. R' could assure them that champions were freaks. They wanted to raise tho standard of the mod-rate performer and make the people "realise that physical fitness brought happiness and friendship. That change of mind must come from propaganda. The hill was read a second Ime without division. LONDON. April 8.

During the debate on the Phvsical Training and Recreation Bid in the House of Commons. Mr R. AEden, the Foreign Secretary, asked if some Tvnesido shipwrights’ apprentices took up roning and 1" n Micod a first-class eight, would Mr Oliver Stanlev, Minister for Education, wlio is in charge of the bill, "sc his influence with tho Henley authorities to get a relaxation of the rule barring people engaged in manual occupation from rowing there? Sir John Withers (Conservative) a*dced whether there was roallv a rule to that effect. Dr P. J. Noel Baker (Labour) said that the r ”-' of the Amateur Rowing A-sen mat ion was that a man who earned his living bv his hands was ineligible. Sir John Withers: T will crna-nlv do my best, to get the rule revised. (Cheers).