"DOWN WITH THE FEZ."

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 246, 17 October 1925, Page 16

"DOWN WITH THE FEZ."

KEMAL'S NEW SLOGAN. Mustapha Kemal Pasha's tour through the northern provinces of Turkey recently was devoted to inspiring the people to the works of civilisation, and in all his speeches the President insisted on the necessity for a complete change in the mode of dress. At Ineboli the Ghazi spoke at great length to a large assembly of inhabitants, half of which were women. With the exception of some passing reference to the changes which the country has undergone during the la6t few years, and a favourable comparison of its present state with that under the old regime, the President's discourse dealt entirely with the absolute necessity of moving with the times. He greatly and conyincingly emphasised, and even" insisted upon the immediate need to discard the fez and the present form of dress, which he described as being neither national nor civilised, and stated that international and civilised .dress, comprising everything even to hat. collar and tie. must be adopted by all. As to the veils worn by women, the Ghazi urged, that in future Turkish women should not be encumbered by this ancient headdress, but should equally be allowed to benefit by the country's devolution. Tins epoch-making speech, which was eloquently delivered, excited the enthusiastic and unanimou* applause of the whole aj-semblv.

The President returned to Castamuni. where he had previously delivered a similar speech. On his departure from the latter town for Ineboli a few days ago the kalpak. fez. and turban were the mode: but on his return the Pasha was met by crowds wearing f e i t hats and panamas.