PHYSICAL CULTURE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5141, 20 June 1927, Page 1

PHYSICAL CULTURE.

IS PRESENT METHOD THE BEST ? QUESTION FOR THE COUNCIL. What is the best method of imparting adequate physical instruction to the children of New Zealand ? The present deliberations of the Council of Education should throw some light on this question, which was the subject of pertinent reference by the Minister of Education (Hon. R. A. Wright) in his address at the opening of the conference in Wellington on Wednesday last. “Physical instruction is absolutely essential and necessary,” said the Minister, who added that much had already been done by the Government to improve the health of the children of the Dominion by the employment of medical instructors, dental nurses, and Itinerant physical instructors. The activities. of the Plunket Society had also to be considered, and the open-air school had played its part. The work carried out by the physical instructors as a whole was good, but, as the expenditure involved was £9OOO pey annum, the question for consideration was: “Are we getting value for the money ? Or,” continued the Minister, “should we concentrate upon the training colleges with refresher, courses for the teachers ? That is another question for the council to consider. You will have the opportunity of expressing your opinions as to whether any better means than the present can be suggested of reaching‘our young people. Let.me make this clear: There is nothing whatever against the physical instructors. I believe they are doing their work well but we have to consider whether these intermittent visitations to the schools are of value.” -