Physical Fitness

Southland Times, Issue 23228, 17 June 1937, Page 15

Physical Fitness

ENGLAND FAR BEHIND “In promoting the physical fitness and welfare of the nation, the English are far behind.” This opinion was expressed by Miss Mary McLean, speaking at a meeting of the Christchurch Travel Club held recently. Miss McLean said that her trips through the northern areas had left her with the impression that England had a wealth of history and tradition, but that at present she was not progressing. “Some of those people in the north have not had work for 30 years, and they never will have it,” she said. “Their lot is a hopeless one.”

WELL-EDUCATED DEMOCRACIES

It was with feelings of relief that Miss McLean observed conditions in Denmark and Sweden. These northern peoples were working in a co-operative democracy towards an educated and healthy nation. They had something to look to in the future. Sweden, in particular, was particularly _ wealthy. Men and women took part in politics. There were 11 women members of the Stockholm City Council, and they sent one of their number down to Geneva every few months to study the latest developments in social work. “Those Swedish women are the bestinformed women I have ever met in social and industrial welfare and economics,” she confessed. “It is a land of comfortable homes with enormous wealth of money and art.” Entering Germany from Switzerland, Miss McLean was greatly impressed with the progress of the German people. The German women had to work in the fields, she said, but they were the healthiest lot of women she had ever seen, and seemed contented and happy. Nor were they the peasant class, but were fairly well educated and cultured. Most of them, for instance, spoke three languages—German, French and English.