KEEPING FIT

Southland Times, Issue 23178, 20 April 1937, Page 6

KEEPING FIT

Physical Education

Conference

MANY SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 19.

A conference on physical education has been called for tomorrow. It is to be attended by the acting Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser), the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) and representatives of the Health and Education Departments, the medical profession, primary and postprimary services (including training colleges), physical instructors and instructresses and the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association.

Mr Fraser stated that the conference would be asked to consider, among other matters, the place and importance of physical education in the curricula of schools and colleges, the best means of arousing jn the post-primary community a desire for physical efficiency through “keep-fit” classes, physical welfare carnivals, etc., the best means of training specialist teachers and Instructors, the best means of dealing with the more pronounced cases of physically defective children, in schools, suitable textbooks for systems of physical education, the best type of school building, seating accommodation and playground lay-out and the need for physical welfare camps. A narrow interpretation would not be placed on physical education, which included an essential knowledge of the human body, and its functions, dietetics, including food values and the effects of various food ingredients and stimulants and health habits generally. The Minister said he regarded the conference as a very important one. He thought from its personnel that it would be able to make very valuable recommendations about future physical education in the Dominion.