PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL WELFARE.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 48, 19 November 1937, Page 4

PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL WELFARE.

There can be no question as to the desirability of doing all that is reasonably possible for promoting the physical fitness of the people in tlie mass. The Government is therefore to be commended for showing some special regard for achieving this purpose. There are, however, many different points of view from which the means of attaining this object may be considered, and a glance tlirotigh the Physical Welfare and Eecreation Bill now before Parliament and somewhat hastily run through the Honse of Eepres'entatives does not leave the impression that it covers the matter in its broadest aspects. For instance, we fancy it will be readEy conceded that, apart from any home training — and there is very little of that nowadays — it is in the schools that the real foundations of bodily fitness should be laid. Bxit as to them we fail to find any particnlar word, though, of conrse, it may he intended that they will come under the purview of the investigating National Council that is to be set up. It certainly seems to us, however, that this, phase of the quesiton might very well have been emphasised, for there can be no doubt that a great deal more should be done than hitherto in the way of making properly directed physical exercises, with disciplined drill, a part of school curriculum. This, of course, should be accompanied by the provision of ample playing grounds, admittedly not very easily to be provided. As we read it, however, this legislation is designed more partieularly for the benefit of the adolescent and the adult, to enahle them to indulge.in recognised games and sports. When we come to consider how rclatively few there are who derive any real benefit' from" already existing facilities in this direction there cannot but be some misgiving as to what really widaspread advantage may be gained merely • by increasing them. It is one very regrettable development in our national life that the real. "game'\spirit of the pursuit of. our outdoor . . sports and recreations is rapidly disappearing. From being ■ - recreative and enjoyable games the tendency is everywhere for them to take the 'shape of dour contests in whicli not the playing- of the game but the winning of it is the basic impulse. As a result the moderate player finds himself very much out of it and he quickly r'esigiis himself to the role of spectator while the "dons" furnish him with lazy entertainment by displayihg . their sedulously cultivate'd prowess. This has very naturally led to the comparative few devoting themselvcs very' much to specialisation in games, while the vast majority content themselves with the role of onlookers and, not infrequently, of hero-worshippers. The real problem is as to how this tendency is to be checked and the moderate players and even the duffers induced to eontinue their schooltime indulgence in the health-giving games, which unfortunately have degenerated almost into gladitorial combats in which only outstanding experts can hope to survive. ^nd they, too, from the very tenseness of their devotion to attain- . ing "suprema'cy, pretty rapidly wear themselves out. Does Bradman get half as much fun and real benefit from defending his wicket at Lord's as does the gamin who, imitating him, stands boldly up in front of a benzine tin with a hacked-out scantling bat in a game "tippeny run"? "What is .wanted badly is a revival of the old "game" spirit as distinguished from what we choose to designate as sport, in which only those who excel find a part. Every possible encouragement should, of course, be given to outdoor recreations, but tbere cannot but be serious doubt as to whether tbe mere promotion of sports and pastimes is going to carry us very far in the way of building up a healthier and liardier community as #a whole. As to what he himself has in mind the Minister concerned has given us but the vaguest indication. For what we are to expect we would seemingly have to await the feport of the National Council to be constituted under tlie Bill, and it has to be said that it has . ■ been given very full scope for its investigations and recommendations." As with most of our present Governments proposals, there is manifestly in contemplation the spending of a very substantial amount of money, and it behoves all to take an interest in seeing that it is spent to the best advantage for, the very praiseworthy purpose in view. » »