TRAINING OF GIRLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 194, 14 February 1914, Page 2

TRAINING OF GIRLS.

DKl'l'.l'nVK EDrOATIOX SYSTEM. AUDKKSS l!Y l)H. TUI'LiY KlKti. SUl'Xl). I.OCK'AL ADYK/K. liv Telegraph-Press Association. Auckland. Thursday. There was a large attendance of doctors, teachers and others at the Y..M.C.A. tliis morning, when Ur. Truiiy King, of Dunedin, who lias done so much for the promotion of Hie health of women and children, gave an interesting lecture on eugenics. After tracing the origin of the education system of the world, which, he said, was evolved for boys and was then forced on girls, the speaker gave a lucid explanation of the beginning of eugenics. He said the tendency of the so-called eugenic instruction, especially as interpreted by the public, liad been to regard hei'edilV(the ell'ect on a child of nil preceding generations) as t-wrytUinjr. and environment as iiliiiont nothing. In other words, it had tended in the direction of unhealthy fatalism and pessimism, because many people had come to think that no matter how much pains tho parents took to render themselves normal and healthy, it was useless if no lieuelits would accrue to their immediate oll'spring. The public had eome to talk glibly about the integrity of the germplasin and the individual's inability to hand on acquired characteristics to immediate descendants.

Dr. Trilby King «iive ii clear and masterly resume of the present conelusions concerning tin- germ eell, and went on to say that they proved that environment could '•knock" heredity into a cocked hat." If u mother realised tin' tremendous importance of that she would realise her duty to keep herself and her daughters in good physical health, not merely for their own efficiency and happiness, hut for the sake of the race, and educationists would understand that mere physical fitness, '•Sandow fitness," would not do. Allround development was wanted. Dr. King pleaded strongly for a rational education system. lie was loudly applauded on resuming his seat. The following resolution was moved by Dr. King:—'-That the Hon. Dr. Collins, Dr. Gibbs, Dr. Truby King and Dr. Klizabeth Piatt-Mills be appointed n committee to wait on the Minister for Kducation and represent that in the opinion of this Congress it is in the highest'interests of the whole community that ihe State should inculcate and bring about as far as feasible an ideal of education for girls which (to quote the words of Professor Stanley Hall), •'shall invert the present maxim that ! girls should he primarily trained to in- j dependence and self-support, and that ' matrimony and motherhood,- if it come, : will take care of itself.' This congress feels bound to deprecate any system of education which under the stress of excessive straining after so-called accomplishments, pays insufficient attention to ensuring normal, orderly, well-In 1 ■-■ ed development and complete fitness for maternity. This congress is satisfied that, broadly speaking, oven where marriage does not take place, the. education j which gives a girl the best all-round equipment in body, mind, morals and inclination for home life and potential motherhood also gives her the soundest and surest foundation for future health and happiness, and for a sustained power of earning an independent living, if such should prove her lot." The chairman (Dr. Purchas), in rtt-. plaining that the resolution would Tie carried as a recommendation to the ■ congress, referred with regret to what he called Hie "commercial flapper*'—the young girl with long hair, short skirts < and liigli heels, who was running about offices at the most critical time of her life.

31r. W. A. Ilolman (Premier of New South Wales) said that Dr. Kind's leelure was giving liim more hope, and was more cheering than anything he hail heard before on the subject. When environment played such an important part in the future of the race, it was our duty to see that social conditions were made so that all could live happy, normal and contented lives. The motion was carried unanimously.