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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 15, No. 8. May 29, 1952

[Introduction]

Here is the authoritive information on the work being done by Mr. W. H. Landreth, the recently-appointed Physical Education Officer.

Thomas Hunley begins his definition of a liberal education with these words: "That man, I think, has had a liberal education who has been so trained in youth that his body is the ready servant of his will, and does with ease and pleasure all the work that, as a mechanism, it is capable of." How far does a university education gained at this College conform to this ideal? What provision has been made by the College authorities for an adequate physical education. Health and physical well-being are repeatedly spoken of as desirable goals—without these high academic honour are hollow triumnphs. We should not be content with physical fitness for our end, for "fitness" leads nowhere and a journey with no end soon develops into an aimless wandering in desert places. But if we make fitness not oar end but our beginnings the beginning of a fully educated life for body, mind and soul—we are not likely to lose our way nor tire of the road. Moral, intellectual and physical progress, the education of the whole man, is the concern of the university.

Recognition of its responsibility in this respect has led the college authorities to start what might well become a vitally important aspect of university life. Steps have been taken to provide, in some aspects of physical education, opportunities for students to exploit their full physical capacities, develop innate skills and derive a more positive enjoyment from their college life. Physical education is no exception to the doctrine which declares education to be a lifelong process. It is not merely a subject to be enjoyed or endured while at school; it is not the P.T. period of the Army and it is not the programme of "health and beauty" movements. These have their place and serve particular needs of different groups, being part, though a limited part, of the whole process of physical education.