Britons Must Be Fit

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 31, 6 February 1937, Page 5

Britons Must Be Fit

National Scheme Outlined EXPENDITURE OF MILLIONS FORESHADOWED halted Press Association —By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. Received Friday, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 5. How the Government will implement its “make Britons fit’’ campaign, is outlined in a White Taper. The scheme provides for the immediate establishment of national advisory councils and a national college of physical training for instructors. It is not intended to build up completely a new compulsory system for training young Britons but by systems of grants, to utilise existing machinery through the agency of local authorities and national voluntary organisations. It is estimated that an expenditure of £2,000,000 will be spread over three years after which the cost will continue at £150,000 annually. The memorandum states: “Compulsion is wholly alien to the national temper and tradition. The Government’s aim is not to ensure that every child achieves a certain standard of physical fitness, but to inculcate a wider realisation that physical fitness plays a vital part in promoting a healthy mind and human happiness. ”