THE CALL TO ARMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 312, 9 January 1908, Page 2

THE CALL TO ARMS.

■Mr T. V*. Leva, editor ui illc Auekl.iu Star, ieiuruwi Uif uilit'i da r Irum i/Uoiepau trip. lie was asked lo jui the party ol liritish editors who recent lj travelled turougli Germany; and on of the things that interested him was tin apjiiiifiulv superior physique of tlie Gel in.ius as contrasted with that ol tin British. He is reported as saying ita the jxipulation oi English towns did no compare favorably, in tlie physical as pert, will) that in tile German cities .Mr Ley* n'lribiitr> the difference lie observed in jjre»t to the military system. This, *«yis the Welllngtor Post, is the other side of a jxi(iry ol general military service; not only (Joe; it keep a country in safeguard, hut it keeps the citizen in health. Mr IJca. kin's plan, for example, presently to lie considered in Australia, will take the young man Ik l fore his bones are set, and [si: Jiim in the way of expanding his chest, developing his muscles, straightening hfs «pinc, and establishing his manhood. 'Mi* J/>ss of time upon which some opponents Mr Deakin's scheme lay stress, will lie .imply compensated by the gain In physical well-being. A little drill at the right period will give many a lad the stock of health that he needs to carry him through life—in giving him the habit of health, the appreciation of regular exercise, the knowledge how to treat his body so as to make It the useful servant of hia wishes. Neither for Australia nor for New Zealand would we grudge the time of encampment. Tt is spent in .1 ralimhle education: and our recruits would cam* forth the stronger in body and mind, t« take nt) the ordinary business of life with added vigor.