THE MODERN BOY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 6

THE MODERN BOY.

“MENTAL ENERGY IMPAIRED.” DUE TO PHYSICAL UNFITNESS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Dec. 15. The statement that a growing number of boys have their mental energy impaired by physical unfitness was made by the principal of the Mt. Albert Grammar School, one of the largest secondary schools in the city, at the prize-giving ceremony last evening.

“Examples of intellectual progress being retarded by sheer bodily debility have so multiplied,” he said, “that very fine discrimination has to be used by masters as to how far boys may be driven. To be sure just where mental distress is beginning and to diagnose the cause'of it are matters always of prime importance in dealing . with boys of secondary school age, but the curtailment of the accustomed, or even necessary, comforts in the homes of many boys today has seriously aggravated the dangers of submitting boys to a mental strain which they cannot safely bear.” A second difficulty was introduced by the violent disturbance of boys’ minds and thoughts, brought about bv the prevalent discontent and restless'ness, and by the presence around them of so many examples of unwanted training- and skill. So far boys had shown a stout resistance to their troubles.