"LACKING IN POISE"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23220, 18 June 1937, Page 7

"LACKING IN POISE"

NEW ZEALAND GIRLS « OPINION OF Y.W.C.A. SECRETARY CONTROL OF SPORT DISCUSSED (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 17. Remarking that the girls lacked poise and posture in New Zealand, Miss Elsie Bennett (general secretary of the Young Women's Christian Association in Auckland) said in the course of an interview to-day that young people ought to be taught more about these attributes. " I am definitely opposed to regimentation—there is enough of that in industry—and unless avenues of sport are left open the last chance of this generation for initiative will be blocked," she said, referring to the contemplated setting up of a national organisation for the control of sport in New Zealand. " It is unusual to find good posture in New Zealand," she added. "People from abroad have remarked on it." A contributing factor was that interest in sport wjis seasonal. Girls, for example, took up basketball violently for a few months and then dropped it. Spasmodic participation was likely to be detrimental. It was desirable that recreation should be rational and sustained throughout the year. National camps for wider participation in recreation appeal to Miss Bennett. She said that the sports side should not be over-emphasised, and people should not be dictated to as to what games they should play. "We have seen that in Germany and Italy, and the nation that indulges most in sport is not necessarily the most sporting nation," she concluded.