The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1913. THE NATIONAL VALUE OF SPORT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1835, 22 August 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1913. THE NATIONAL VALUE OF SPORT.

The ' leading nations of the civilised world are realising more and more clearly every year that the maintenance of the physical fitness of the people is a matter of such vital importance that the State cannot' throw the entire responsibility for it upon private individuals or organisations. No nation can expect to flourish or to hold its. own in competition with its rivals unless it can maintain a constant and sufficient supply of citizens sound in mind and body. It is this need that jjrovides the justification for maternity assistance, societies dealing with the proper nurture of children, physical culture and organised games in connection • with our schools, public swimming baths, the formation of recreation grounds, and the general encouragement of athletic sports in many other ways. The question of physical fitness has also been an important factor in the inauguration and development of the system of compulsory military training in Australia and New Zealand, for the efficiency of a defence force must depend upon the virility of the men of which it is composed, and this virility is in turn dependent upon the nature of the training which our citizen soldiers receive. Young • men who take pleasure in outdoor sports, and by so doing improve their physique and stamina, make the best defenders of their country in time of need, provided, of course, that they have been properly trained and equipped for military duty. Taking a broad view of the matter, no one who has given the question any serious consideration will deny that clean, healthy athletic exercises have _ a national value from the physical, mental, and moral points of view.

It is true that in British com..m unities tho promotion and en-

couragement of sport, apart from physical culture in schools and ride mutches, has hitherto been left almost entirely to municipal and private enterprise; and, indeed, it is not easy to see how the Central Government can advantageously extend its functions in this direction. It is, however, a significant indication of the trend of events to find that the Fremi Government is being'urged to cwate a Minister of Sport. This announcement is made in a cablegram which is published in another part of this issue L and which also states that the French Parliament is being asked to make a grant of £20,000 for the training of the young in athletic games. The idea of a Minister of Sports may seem at first sight- rather ridiculous, but probably what is meant is very little more than an extension of State activity as regards physical education, and placing the whole matter under the control of a special Department with a Minister, at its head. Tho question of tho national value of sport has been revived quite recently in England, Germany, and America in connection with t-he preparations which are already being made for thq selection and training of representatives to compete at the Olympic Games to be held in Berlin in 1916. In England an appeal lias beeu issued for no less than £100,000. for thi.3 purpose, and for providing some permanent system for the physical betterment of the nation. Sport, of this character has a scientific side which cannot be ignored. It is quite possible to do much harm by training on wrong lines, _ and there is great difference of opinion among experts as to the best methods to adopt. It is contended by some, for instance, that the American system is unsatisfactory in its results. According to a cablegram which .appears in another column, an expert declares that the American. atMete does too much in the way of training, and, in consequence of this, it is a rare thing to. see a man who has reached the age of twenty-five years partaking in field sports in the United States. Thisshows the urgent need of scientific inquiry with the object of discovering the best way of reaching the highes-t degree of physical fitness without harmful or prejudicial after-results.

It "would, however, be a great mistake to think that the main object of physical training from the national point of- view is to produce a handful of exceptional .athletes to excel their rivals in international contests. It is the average that tells as far as the well-being of the nation is concerned, and to secure a high average of physical fitness opportunities should be given to enable as many people as possible to take part in the ordinary outdoor sports. For this purpose, recreation reserves are needed. The municipalities can do something in this matter themselves, and can also encourage and assist private enterprise. In AVellington many sports bodies have incurred a great deal of expense in providing their own grounds, and there is much to be said in favour of their request that this form of property should be exempt from rates. These open spaces are a distinct gain to the city from a health point of view, and they relieve the City Council of some of its responsibilities as far as the provision of facilities for recreation is concerned. The rates on these sports grounds are steadily increasing, and press so heavily on the financial resources of the clubs that there is danger of some of them being squeezed put of existence. The matter was brought utider the notice of the City Council by a deputation last night, and a remission of the general—not' the service—rates was asked for, the total amount involved being about £500. The position was explained by Mit. Skerrett and others, and the Council referred the matter io" the Finance Committee. A good .case has certainly been made out for exemption, and it is to be hoped that the Council will see its way to make, the desired concession.