FIG-LEAF DESIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 130, 4 June 1935, Page 5

FIG-LEAF DESIGN.

BATHING COSTUMES.

ORDINANCES IN N.SW.

«IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE."

. Some piingent comment from the sharp pen of Mr. Wilfred Blacket, K.C., on the controversial subject of bathing costumes appears in the May number of the "New Zealand Law Journal." He refers to the drafting of the new ordi nances to govern costumes worn on New South Wales beaches, and says that the only fault is that the reform is not to come into force until .October 1. "Long ago in New South Wales," writes Mr. Blacket, "bathers on public beaches were required by ordinance to wear neck-to-knee costumes, but only the modest ever obeyed this law. Others openly defied it by wearing costumes which, like the Queen of Spain, had _no legs/ the limbs of the wearer supplying the deficiency; others, again, wore suits of thin material with legs that would roll up like a stage curtain and for.the same general purposes. And some wore, and still are wearing, costumes which are very low above, and very high below on the front, elevation, and are as backless as a eampstool. Others appear covered here and there with detached

shields, bandages and drapings. "One of the morning papers defends this fig leaf design in bathing suits because it gives opportunity to the near-nudists to reveal themselves to prospective husbands, and, of course, there is force in this, for in transactions relating to real estate the right of an intending purchaser to make full iispection is undoubted, and there seems no logical reason why the same right should not be extended to intending purchasers of personal property. Now, however, new oixlinances have been drafted and approved, and these provide feu- bathing suits only half-backless and quite decently high in front, and having three-inch legs,. JHu* is-^n^ulmJbaiUe.

reform, and will free our beaches from the unpleasing presence of those who now act iipon a crude reading of the maxim that it 'pays to advertise,' the only defect in the reform being that the ordinance is not to come into force until October 1, 1935! Would you ask, 'Why not?' Know, then, that a general election will be held within five months, and it would really not be right for the Ministry to lose all the votes of all the girls who do not want to wear the 'three-inch legs' aforesaid nor to wear decent covering on the front elevations of them."