PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21155, 3 July 1940, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write in ink. It essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear. ARMISTICE TERMS (To the Editor) Sir, —The terms of an armistice placed before the French Government are notable for the conditions placed upon the resources of France. One strange factor in the terms is that no mention is made of financial arrangements by either of the parties concerned.—l am, etc., BRUTUS. Hamilton, July 2. BETTER PHYSICAL HEALTH (To the Editor) Sir, —With the Government and people of New Zealand casting about for ways and means to fit the nation’s manhood for the defence of their rights against any possible enemy it has astonished the writer that so little attention is being paid to physical fitness. When war comes and the need for active soldiering becomes imperative, one of the first requirements of men is that they shall be physically strong and able to endure the hardships of campaigning. There may be good reasons why New Zealand cannot or has not further increased the numbers of its armed forces. Whatever those reasons may be they cannot apply to the physical health training of the country’s manhood—and womanhood. Admittedly the objective could be achieved by individual effort. Every man could improve his physical standard if he would only rouse himself to the task —or rather to the pleasant pastime—of making his body and his mind strong and healthy through attention to his diet and to physical exercise. The public, however, is notoriously difficult to enthuse in such matters. The few of their own Initiative will so care for their bodies that they have something in which they can take justifiable pride. But the mass of people trudge along in the same old rut with bent backs, flaccid muscles and ruined digestive systems. Something must be done to rouse them from their sloth and lethargy ii we, when the time comes, are to have an A 1 race to defend itself against the challenge of an enemy who realises the value of physical fitness. Some members of the Government, prompted by their constituents, caught the vision when the Physical Welfare Act was placed upon the New Zealand Statute Book. Temporarily, an admirable enthusiasm was manifested throughout the country. But the authorities failed to take advantage of the tide at the flood, and the enthusiasm has passed. What has become of the Act of Parliament of which so much was expected by the people who realise the importance of healthy bodies and minds? So far as the public knows, a few earnest officials scattered through the country are waging a struggle against the public lethargy and doing their best for the physical health of the few who can raise sufficient interest to attend classes. Those instructors can do little unless the men and women, boys and girls, come forward in their thousands and demand their right to the facilities to improve their physical health. Certain machinery is available if the people will only awaken themselves and use it. The Government can be forgiven, perhaps, if it does not expend huge sums of money in providing facilities for recreation at the present juncture, but it cannot be forgiven if it fails to recognise the value of physical health and stir the people to the effort of achieving it. Nothing short of a nation-wide campaign for fitness on practical lines will meet the need. But on the people themselves, on each man and woman, rests the greatest responsibility. Improved physical health is within the reach of most people if they will only grasp it. It requires only an initial effort—the rest comes easily and naturally. New Zealand will never deserve, nor will it achieve, the full fruits of nationhood until it makes the best of its human flesh and blood. Who will join the get fit brigade?—l am, etc., PHYSICAL JERKS. Hamilton, July 2.