COMPULSORY PHYSICAL TRAINING IN SCHOOLS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Your• excellent article in the Spectator of August 30th on the Royal Commission on physical training deserves the close attention of all interested in the welfare of the nation. The good done by Lord Meath's Lads' Drill Association in pressing this point on the Government can hardly be overrated. The best system for carrying out the early training of lads in schools from the ages of twelve to fourteen has been well thought out with the aid of expert advice, and has been adopted by Government. But it is not compulsory. It should be made so for all not exempted on medical grounds. It cannot do harm, if carefully carried out, and must do good if systematically continued. The County Councils are therefore being asked, as you will see by the enclosed letter, to support the movement. As the boys leave school at fourteen to become apprenticed or enter employ- ment, there is, then, no practical method of getting them together for further compulsory training, but public opinion may influence them to join rifle clubs and cadet corps which properly qualified instructors are attached. The physical training without arms is best carried out by trained schoolmasters.--I am, Sir, &C., LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
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