PHYSICAL FITNESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 6

PHYSICAL FITNESS

THE promotion of the Health Week merits support, because it will give the mass backing to the general impetus toward seeking a higher standard of physical fitness. Physical fitness, on the whole, is at a high level in New Zealand. This is to be attributed to the great work done by the Plunket Society, for the physical fitness of the individual is built up in that person’s earliest years. Next in importance as a contributor to the present-day standard is the excellent supply of essential foodstuffs. The New Zealand cuisine generally is of a limited nature when compared with that of other nations, but within that limited range foods are unusually wholesome, and meat, vegetables and fruit are to be had in abundance. This abundance has been placed within the range of practically all sections by reason of the relatively high rates of wages paid to manual and unskilled workers. Another important phase of New Zealand life which has proved helpful has been the high standard of housing. The retention of the quarter acre as the customary residential site has given the average dwelling-house a satisfactory air-space. Still another important factor is the ease with which open-air recreations can be indulged in—sea beaches, playing fields, golf courses and the open country are within reach of almost everyone. As urban life grows more intense, however, these natural advantages are likely to suffer some limitation, and a conscious effort will be required if present standards are to be. maintained. The flat dweller who lives on factory-prepared foods, and whose life is influenced by the many appeals of night entertainments, is hardly likely to possess the stamina of the surban dweller in a city such as is Wanganui. While, however, the standard of physical fitness among New Zealand’s citizens is relatively high, it does not preclude the standard being raised still higher. There is undoubtedy room for improvement, but. seeing society influences the thought and action of the individual it may be well for society to become fitness-minded. This can be achieved by the holding of a Fitness Week, when attention shall be concentrated upon the problems of individual betterment. The movement certainly should be supported, but care should be taken to avoid an elaboration of the machinery, a danger in all such endeavours. The best way of assuring that the machinery shall not become too elaborate for the public to enlist in the movement, take an intelligent interest in it, and, what is equally important, take a continuing interest therein.