WEEDY BOYS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 414, 22 April 1937, Page 2

WEEDY BOYS.

MAGNIFICENT GIRLS. Australians’ Physique. “You have only to look down 'the , street 'to see the w.edy boys, and magnificent girls,” said Dr S'uart Mackenzie, district medical officer for Per.h, West Australia, in evidence before a commission inquiring into youth and unemployment in his State. He added that morals, as well as physique were deteriorating, boys to a greater degrea than girls. Dr Mackenzie told the commission that this deterioration 'vas a result, of economic conditions. Keatons were improper feeding and housing. There was no doubt there was a slum factor coming into Perth. Children of men on sustenance rates were getting, perhaps, full stomachs, but not. the right food in them. They were beginning to show definite signs of deficiency. Because of Their surroundings, they were averse from proper exercise, and did not feel capable of doing it. They could not afford the appurtenances for various sports. “As they grow older they taka their pastime—'.he boy at. the corner “pub” or in the ham and beef shop, and the girls down the lane. They talk about all sorts of things, the talk being mostly pornoigr aphis. Referring to young married men 'Who were unable to carry out their parental duties and were unfit for work, Dr Mackenzie said their children grew up in squalor and poverty. German Plan as Remedy? He suggested as a solution establishment by the Government of a colony for boys, where they could be fitted for rural occupations, which were now being neglected. In advocating the raising of the school leaving tage from 14 to 15, thft Director of Education (Mr J. A. Klein) suggested to the Royal Commissioner (Mr A. A. Woolf, K.C.) that if the financing of the scheme were not possible, the example of Germany should be followed. This 'Would make it compulsory for students to rec .ive general education and vocational training one day a week up to the age of 18. A new world had emerged in recent years, and an endeavour should be made to prepare youth as adequately ns possible for it. Commenting on Dr Mackenzie’s statements, the Medical Officer of the New South Wales Education Department, Dr A. E. Machin, said: “Evidence we have from school medical examinations l and from other investigations we have carried out does ant show a falling off in fitness or a physical deterioration with regard to either boys or girls over the past 10 years.” Nor wag there, he added, a distinct difference between the physical standards of boys l and girls.