A RETURN TO NATURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 25 September 1907, Page 4

A RETURN TO NATURE.

CHILDREN UNCLOTHED. Present day methods of rearing chil-' dren are all wrong, and must be changed if we desire to sec children perfect in mind and body. This declaration was made last month by Professor Starr, of Chicago University, and other learned men, who are supporting him with a view to testing new theories of human development. Professor Starr declares that children should wear no clothing until they are ten years old., and this, he says, is right on sound physiological and moral grounds.

The new school of culture have the courage of their convictions, and they propose to establish a colony at Chicago, with a big sheltered playground, where children will run free. Families who approve of Professor Starr's methods will lie members of the colony. According to the New York World's Chicago correspondent, the following have joined in the latest home experiment of Professor Starr:—Professor Edwin Erie Sparks, a noted historical authority and lecturer, and Mrs Sparks, with her daughter Ethel, aged 12 years; Professor Harry Bigelow, of the University Law School, and Mrs Bigelow; Professor Clarke B. Wittier, of the University Law School, and Mrs Whittier, with her daughter Florence, aged 6 years; and Dr. diaries Frederic Millspaugh and Mrs .Millspaugh. Mr Starr does not say whether the unfortunate youngsters are to go nude in summer and winter. At the present time the majority of American children go practically naked in July and August, but the intense heat in these months ir many parts of the States enfeebles them to an extent which renders them peculiarly liable to cold in winter. However, there is a disposition to take Mr Starr -quite seriously, and if the police do not intervene interesting results are expected.