PHYSICAL FITNESS.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 190, 28 August 1937, Page 4

PHYSICAL FITNESS.

Viscount Dawson of Penn, the eminent physician, took parfc in a recent House of Lords debate 011 the Physical Trainiug and Recreation Bill. Refdrriug to the policy of looking after those who are unfit, he said: — " We have to remember, that in securing a fit race in days gone by Nature did a large part of the work. She killed 0f£ the unfit, and only the fit survived. But we are gradually undoing Nature's 'eflorts hy our developed sense of greater^ humanity and a more acute conscience towards those who are in distress and those who are weak. But if we are to ccntinue that policy of looking after the weaker brethren — and I cannot conceive anyhody doubting that that is a right pfalicy— -we must remerfiber that we are at the same time undoing Nature's plan for discarding the weaktings of the race. It therefore becomes doubly important for us to set up a policy which will ereate fitness. " If we create fitness and give the proper opportunities it is inevitable that the more fit and efficient will come to the fore. Consequently the more fit and efficient will lead the nation, and the fit boys will ultimately marry the fit girls, and you will raise the eugenic standard of the race. It must be borne in mind that the young are all hero worshippers, and they will follow the leaders of their own generation. If therefore you give opportunity to those who are most 'fit to move forward, as they inevitably will, in the company of their generation, they will set the pace of conduct and the standard of fitness for those who will come after them A • i