NATIONAL FITNESS

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 38, 15 February 1939, Page 2

NATIONAL FITNESS

Military Training Best

DANNEVIRKE COUNTY COUNCIL ADVOCATES SOLDIERING

A resolution to the effect that compulsory military training would be the most effective measure to ensure the success of tho national fitness campaign was passed by the Dannevirke County Council at its monthly meeting yesterday. Circulars regarding the campaign and fitness week were received from the Counties’ Association and the Depart ment of Internal Affairs, the latter forwarding a specimen programme for the use of country communities during fitness week.

The chairman, Cr. A. H. Hansen, said that one county council had adopted tho attitude that military training would solve tho difficulty. Cr. C. V. Frederickson said the Government was definitely lacking in not making training compulsory. Tho chairman considered that most people in the country were physically engaged. There was no doubt, he added, but that tho Government should be commended for instituting tho fitnesH week as there was a need for the nation to take hold of the situation. As a county, he said, ho doubted their ability to do very much savo lending their moral support to what was done in the towns as it would be difficult to arrange anything of any value in tho county. He asked for suggestions from councillors.

Cr. Ellinghum stated that they sympathised with the objects of the campaign but could do little to assist.

Cr. H. Stratford stated that the very people that should, will not take up this fitness campaign. Ho felt that military training would adequately meet tho position regarding young men as well as providing for the defence of the country. “I never felt so disgraced in my life,” he said, “as when I heard recently that we were spending £1 5s per head annually on protection the Old Country was paying £9 55.” He moved that the council pass a resolution that they considered compulsory military training the Government’s best means of achieving physical fitness. I Cr. A. C. E. Cammock, seconding the resolution, agreed that such a training was one of the finest things to be had and he cited his own experience.

Other councillors agreed that such a course would at once bo useful and advantageous to ail. Cr. G. Carmichael: That sounds like warl Do we have to use the word “compulsory”? Cr. J. W. Ellingham: It’s no use otherwise.

Cr. Cammock: Compulsory training does not mean compulsory active ser-

vice. The resolution was then carried.