TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, 4th MAY, 1938. PHYSICAL FITNESS.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4043, 4 May 1938, Page 6

TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, 4th MAY, 1938. PHYSICAL FITNESS.

THE provision of added leisure for lh» people has notably, in the Government’s plans, anticipated the obvious complementary need to eiic»-’irage the workers, parted ins. But mung generation, ers for good—to put beneficially. .Heeding from wounds, | . of Te Awamutu, th-m a wouM.en’s Institute, judging by the enthusiastic inaugural proceedings on Monday night, promises this season to fulfil a very beneficial niche and, incidentally and with due regard to surrounding circumstances its activities, along with those of the numerous athletic and sporting bodies in our midst, should place the district in an advantageous position for consideration ot its undeniable claims for favourable consideration by the. Sports Council the appointment of which was this week announced by the Minister ol Internal Affairs. To give its proper title, the latest organisation set up by the Minister is “The National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation,” and its appointment will be welcomed as indicating that the requirement of national organisation is now approaching* the stage of practical recognition. Nevertheless, it is somewhat dismaying to learn from the Ministers statement that apparently he was deluged with applications for nominations to the council. This surely indicates a now and unwelcome trend in the process of nominative appointments by the State, and one that, it is to be hoped, will be discouraged. It is highly preferable that the ac ceptance of office of this nature which should imply, for those on whom it is bestowed, the sacrifice of time and other interests to the common good should be regarded as a duty rather than as an outcome of a claim upon Government patronage. The personnel of the council, however, will commend itself to the public as being reasonably competent to undertake an important work. Its members are representative, in a geographical sense and some of them are excellently qualified, professionally t or through then identification with the administrative side of sport and physical recreation to serve on this new body. It will be the task of the council, in collaboration with local committees one of which will later be duly constituted in Te Awamutu and another in Otorohanga—to encourage all types of healthful recreation. The ideal to be aimed at is to interest as many people as possible, and especially those at present not engaged in physical pursuits, in participation of activities that will promote the physical welfare of the community. To aim at breeding a vigorous and healthy race, not necessarily to create sports champions, must be the object of the National Council, and its personnel suggests that it will be alive to its responsibilities.