DOWDINESS OF N.Z. WOMEN

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25609, 25 September 1948, Page 6

DOWDINESS OF N.Z. WOMEN

CRITICISM NOT RESENTED

COMMENT ON FORMER WAR ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Mr Peter Mclntyre, former New Zealand war artist, who said in an article earlier this week that New Zealand women are dowdy, at least from an artist’s point of view, has not been taken to task by women in Christchurch. ’•ln fact, most women who were invited to comment on Mr Mclntyre’s statement yesterday said that they believed, in general, that New Zealand women were dressed dowdily, ifi comparison with women overseas, but that few seemed to notice.

That men were not such fools as to be satisfied with a pretty face was the opinion expressed by a psychiatrist. A man’s vanity might be gratified if he were seen around with a pretty face, but' what most men were looking for were women they would like to be the mother of their children. “A bright and cheerful face is a better index to character than a merely symmetrical one,” he said. “The cult of feminine attractiveness is not recommended as a lure to ‘catch’ a man, but as an acceptance of her own sex. However, no Woman should despise the allure of a well-placed ribbon and the. set of a hat.” Here is what 10 women, selected at random, had to say about Mr Mclntyre’s statement. A woman doctor: Any dowdiness may be due to our rather dull AngloSaxon stock. We have inter-bred since our grandparents arrived in the country and are nothing like as cosmopolitan as America, for instance. Apart from what is seen on the films, we have very Jittle stimulation. Then, of course, our women do not have to fight for their men.

A receptionist: New Zealand women are dowdy, but. they don’t know it. Fortunately, neither do the men. A girl student: Mr Mclntyre is speaking from an artist’s point of view, of course. But are all New Zealand men artists? • A housewife: I don’t think our girls do dress really well, do you? There are some girls you would stop to look at in the street, but not so very many. A business woman: Most women’s “perms” are dull and their feet are untidy. They could do something about their hair, I suppose, but what can you expect from New Zealand shoes? Perhaps I shouldn’t say that, but I’m sure that’s what most girls think. “What About Men?’ 1Another business woman: Whst about men? • The manageress of a cosmetic counter: Girls should know that “makeup” is an art and it is better to have •lessons from an expert and take pains rather than appear in a me?sy condition. Then, too, the “make-up” must be suitable for the occasion. I have found most women dowdy, but those that do dress and use “make-up” well (and there are only a handful) are really beautiful. A shop girl: He’s quite right. We are a dbwdy-lnoking lot. Just how dowdy I discovered when I looked through the crowd which gathered in the Square to welcome “Miss New Zealand.” Why. Mary was the only one with any spark at all. The manageress of a millinery shop: There is some truth in the statement. But of course the world’s best clothes cost the world’s best money. However, Mr Mclntyre was probably speaking of women in general and not in particular.

A grandmother: As I belong to an older generation I fail to see any allure in lipstick, scarlet nails, or even the new look; but since they are nearly universal I will admit them to have some appeal. If their use enhances a girl’s respect, let her use them. But I don’t agree that our girls should look thin. Why should they?