PHYSICAL CULTURE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3082, 2 January 1909, Page 3

PHYSICAL CULTURE.

(By R. 0. JARRETT, Physical Culturist). A PLEA FOR PHYSICAL ADVANCEMENT. A weakling cannot help being born so, neither can he be held responsible for the physical shortcomings, with which he has been burdened; but when old enough to think and do for himself he can do his best to make himself a man. Each one has it in his power to make or mar his future physically. "Be strong, and fear not," is a good motto for men and nations, and with it were given some comments by "Benefactor" in the Wanganui "Chronicle" Do not misunderstand me, I do not put muscle before brain, nor weight before wisdom. Not at all. My ideal is a sound mind in a strong body—making a wholly welldeveloped human, possessed to the fullest measure of the mental qualities of a Solomon and the physical prowess of Samson. Yes, I like the Solomon-Samson combination. It suggests strength power, conquest. Therefore, strive after this admirable and honourable ideal. We chatter glibly enough of our imperial responsibilities. We are immensely patriotic in our professions. We spend incalculable time in devising and in discussing, with much warmth, theoretical propositions of political moiflent. Our object, so we say, is to consolidate the British Empire, to maintain the supremacy of the British people. We are proud of our traditions and pleased with our prospects. Just so, but what are we doing to perpetuate the sturdy stamina, the moral grit, and the physical endurance which enabled our forefathers to build up these traditions? Prating about fiscal tariffs and political expediences, forsooth! The while we permit the physical deterioration of the race. Yet it is upon the race more than upon political inventions that have been or can be thought of that the/welfare of the Empire must depend. ' If we would fear not, we must be strong. What sort of a New Zealander will it be, think you, who shall fulfil Macaulay's prophecy? I tell you that unless we seek strength, unless we cultivate it more assiduously and systematically than we are doing to-day, the chances are that our representative upon London bridge will be a pigmy little if any better in stature than the underfed jockey. The truth is that while we are looking after our sheep and cattle we are letting our race slide. In our schods we cram the minds and cramp the bodies of our children. And it isn't paying. It is costing us more in vitality than we can afford to losa. We are producing Rhodes' Scholars, certainly, and brilliant fellows, too; but you have only to sit in any one the larger scho'ola of the Dominion to see what a lot of weeds are growing up with the flowers, and that's the pity of it.

We want tc knock some of the frills out uf the syllabus, to make room for a good wholesome slice of invigorating physical culture. The writer whose ideas 1 have just given has grasped the position exactly. He hits out strong; with the confide/ice of one who has a thorough grasp of the position which he undoubtedly has. I have striven for years t'~> get this question of physical culture in the public schools placed on a satisfactory basis. Others, including the Chief Health Officer, have steadily preached the same gospel. Time was when my persistent agitation for breathing exercises in public schools was good naturedly tolerated by a section of the community, much upon the principle that "the exercises will not do any harm, and we don't suppose will do a great deal of good." For myself, I was looked upon more or less of a ciank on breathing. It is now generally admitted that there i was method in my madness. I The quastion is no longer an experiment. It has been proved over and over again in many schools under the jurisdiction of the Wanganui Education Board, that the benefits derived by the children of all ages, both physfcally and mentally, are incalculable. The Board fully recognises its value, and is anxious to have physical culture systematically taught in its schools, but, for want of funds, are unable to do so. The , Government„say they have no funds j to spare for this purpose. I Some months ago, I offered to give free tuition to each 'of the schools, if the Board could get a fr.. e railway pass for the purpose. The Government replied that they had no power to grant the pass. And yet sums totalling thousands of pounds sterling are annually spent in experimenting on horses, cattle, sheep, and poultry. Surely the health and physical welfare of our rising generation and future nation are worth a few hundreds yearly. Are our future citizens not of as much value to the nation as our future horses, cattle and other stock? I have freely given my time and energy for experimental purposes to the public schools of the Dominion, but this only touches the surface. We require to get right down to the foot. To the school teachers wo must look for the physical as well as the mental welfare of the children.

With this purpose in view, tl:e teachers themselves must have expert coaching. Charts are useful only as illustrations and reminders. Living exponents are required, so that the teachers can be enabled to acquire a general knowledge of the subject, so'that they in turn may teach children. Given this start in the public schools, we shall have our boys ajrid girls endowed with a sound mind in a strong body, and well fitted to fight the battle of life. In the issue of Saturday, January 9th, I purpose dealing with the abuse of athletics.