HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 37

HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

PHYSICAL TRAINING IN SCHOOLS. WELLINGTON, December 2. The steps that have been taken within the past two years to promote the physical fitness and general good health of the children attending the schools of the Dominion were referred to by the Dlinister of Education (Dlr R. A. Wright) to-day in a statement released for publication. Dlr Wright recalled that two years ago Dr J. Renfrew White, of Dunedin, relying on his observations in the course of the practise of his profession as an orthopaedist, stated that the physique of the children in New Zealand left much to be desired. Children were to school with curable physical defects which, if left uncured, sowed the seeds of disease in middle age and discomfort and inefficiency through a great part of adult existence. Dr White secured the goodwill of the education authorities, and was allowed to carry out investigations in the Dunedin schools, with the result that he. found a condition of affairs which called for lemedial action. The physical instructors were called together for instruction, and most of them returned to their posts filled with fresh enthusiasm for their work. Dr White was then engaged temporarilj’ to superv : ae physical education at the Dunedin Training College, and to train the 12 third-year students who were sent there to specialise in physical education. “It is e_rly to speak of the effect of Dr White’s teaching,” said the Dlinister, “ for it has barely had time to have much noticeable effect, on the physique of the children. His influence, however, has raised the work of physical education to a higher plane. In six centres refresher courses have been arranged for the instruction of teachers in the new work. The medical and dental services agreed very willingly to. co-operate with the Education Department in this movement, and everything points to an increase of practical interest in the all-important subject of physical fitness and general good health.”