Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 1938. PHYSICAL WELFARE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 74, 24 February 1938, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 1938. PHYSICAL WELFARE.

The experience of welding together all the elements which contribute to the achievement of living normally has never proved so exacting. Competent authorities are in agreement in asserting that the present decode of the century has brought with it a greater degree of stress than has been known previously—indeed to live a perfectly normal life is, under all the circumstances, much more frequently the exception than the rule. The shrinking of the civilised world has brought the problems and consequences of international relationships within the orbit of the individual; few to whom these matters are of real import can avoid the concomitants of concern and mental stress. That it is a universal experience is only too evident —more so in countries directly involved in the process of evolving a more satisfactory international philosophy —and that the responsible authorities have set themselves the task of ameliorating the situation is a matter for congratulation. In Great Britain for some time systematic attention has been paid to physical fitness —indeed the campaign that has been launched was given close attention in framing the organisation of a similar undertaking for this Dominion. Commending the work of the British National Fitness Council only a few days ago, His Majesty the King declared that “we have here a duty lo ourselves, and to our generation, which will bring swift returns in human happiness.” The King added that there was much leeway to be made up, but if all did their share then success would be assured. Coincidentally, Lord Stanhope uud Lord Aberdare repudiated any . suggestion that the introduction of some form of compulsion into the movement was contemplated —it would continue to be conducted purely and solely on voluntary lines. This is the secret of a successful undertaking in a democratic society, and the enthusiasm with which it is being received augurs well for the future. In a recent investigation by an English periodical it was ascertained that the surprisingly large proportion of 44 per cent, of British people take steps to keep fit, the greater majority by playing games, then by hiking and, a very bad last, by indulging in physical exercises. Least fond of hiking and physical exercises, and keenest on games, were people over the age of thirty years. It is apparent

that Britons are intent ou offsetting the effects of inescapable stresses.

The achievement of good health has also come within the ambit of co-ordinated international action, and the League of Nations, at the last meeting of the Assembly, gave very. detailed attention to the subject, requesting Governments to keep it informed of their measures on nutrition and to hold regular meetings of nutrition committees. It was ascertained during the discussions that in Britain too little milk is drunk ; in Hungary vegetables are inadequate; in Uruguay the country people eat almost nothing but meat. Sweden and Poland were all in favour of greater consumption, but not if prices fell so low as to injure the farmer. A number of countries, including those in Latin America, were making great efforts to improve the feeding of their peoples. It was reported that in India effective measures were being taken in the same direction, but it was stated that in China the majority of the people were in a permanent state of under-nutrition. It was apparent, stated an observer, that for the sake of its health the world needed more food—a situation that calls for an examination of distribution systems that permit of' the destruction of vast quantities of food in various parts when there is evidence of under-nourish-ment elsewhere. This is but one aspect of a complex problem upon which tlife League is working during the present year, when a conference on rural hygiene will be held in Mexico and one on rural life in Europe. Extremely flexible, adapting easily to the trends of medical needs and discoveries, this is a work that ignores boundaries and in its essential spirit of humanitarianism affords an excellent example to "experts in other spheres. Physical welfare is the concern of every nation, and in the achievement of happiness through good health there is unbounded scope for enthusiastic co-opera-tion.