CHILD AND COMPETITION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 6 September 1935, Page 2

CHILD AND COMPETITION

RUINATION OF MENTAL STABILITY CONFERENCE OPINIONS TBv Telegraph— Press Association] DUNEDIN. This Day.. The ruination of mental stability was stated bv a doctor at to-day’s conference of the National Council of Women to be sometimes the result of young children participating in competitions. It was resolved to send a deputation to the committee of the Dunedin Competitions Society, ancl further the following resolution was carried: —“That- this council make every possible effort to persuade parents and teachers not to enter children under seven years of age for public competition.” Dr. McKinnon said it was appalling that such children should have the strain of competition, the excitement of winning and the extreme disappointment of losing. It worked on the nervous system, frequently ruining mental stability for life. Children to 10 or 12 years should live a free animal life without mental strain All's Stanley Brown (Invercargill) said there would be no change while then conducted the competitions. They favoured young children competing, because they attracted big audiences. REMITS CARRIED The following remits Were carried':— “That the Government lie asked! to repeal legislation dealing with the dismissal of married women teachers as being an unfair attack upon one section of the community.” “That the council urges the Government to give facilities for the passage of a Bill embodying provisions dealing with the sale of contraceptives on the lines of that introduced in the Legislative Council.” “That on general educational and social grounds legislation excluding the five-year-olds from the schools be repealed.”