The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, APRIL 30. 1928. PHYSICAL TRAINING.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, APRIL 30. 1928. PHYSICAL TRAINING.

Physical training for the youth of the country is coining to the fore just now. There is a good deal of comment on the subject, the idea of course being to build up the rising generation in stamina and general health. The tendency to run to seed has been observed, though when we consider the position New Zealand holds in practically all field snorts it would appear that the tendency complained -of is not very general. Some time ago there was a good deal of talk about eugenics and rac© development, and a move-

men! of a very pronounced character took shape ill Auckland where female athletic clubs came into being. These have proved very .successful, and the annul competitions in the northern city are an outstanding event in which the new woman revels to her heart’s contcnl. MV should say that here,, as a result of the opportunities for swimming exorcize, the females appear to have derived more, physical l>eiicfit than the opposPe sex. The hoys have not taken the exercise in such a vigorous spirit, and if there is any lack or lagging on the part c.T the youth in physical hearing and development, it is in the main with the hoys. This was remarked upon specially by the press at the Anzae parade at Christchurch, and there were pointed remarks on the .subject and a plea for physical training as an essential part of the military course the young men have to undertake. At the same time it is due to remark that- here in the Ansae parade the marching and hearing of the Territorials and Cadets were much in advance of former apnearancos. Those young men now have rivals in the Girl Guides who likewise acquitted themselves strikingly, and it may have been that there was an unchallenged competition between the two sexes on parade, lie that as it may. the smart appearance of the parade generally last week was a credit to all concerned, and gave pride and pleasure to those watching the rising generation disport ing themselves to such advantage. An aspect of physical training is touched upon in the following remarks; “The most striking thing I have seen during my visit was the appearance and hearing of the -I0"0 Territorials and Cadets, who paraded in the liasia Reserve. Wellington, on Wednesday afternoon,” said Lieuten-ant-Colonel F. F. \Y. Lascclles. of India. “It was a very impressive sight,” he addial. “When T left New Zealand the compulsory military training Act had iust been passed. Now, when T come hack and see such a splendid parade as I did 1 in Wellington on Ammo Day. 1 can see what a benefit it has been to the youth of the country. No amount of military training, however, he continued, could give a military hearing to a man whose work kept him bent over a desk or a lathe. Physical training was what was needed, particularly by Hie Cadets. “The ideal training for the Cadet," he said, "would he one-third physical train-

ing. one-third drill, not necessarily military drill, and one-third Boy ftcout - character building and that sort of

thing.” Those are observations on the subject which will lie approved very generally by all giving any consideration to the subject referred to.