SIZE OF WOMEN’S UNDERWEAR

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27734, 11 August 1955, Page 14

SIZE OF WOMEN’S UNDERWEAR

MARKING IN INCHES “SUCCESS STORY” BY MISS HOWARD (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 10. “A success story in the battle for more inches in panties, slips, and other undergarments for women” was the description given by a Government member. Mr T. L. Hayman (Oamaru) to a speech by Miss M. 8.. Howard (Opposition. Sydenham), in the House of Representatives this evening. Miss Howard entertained the House with her story, claiming that, as a result of her protests in the House, the undergarment manufacturers had now decided to mark garments in inches. She Lad saved the women of New Zealand from being uncomfortable, she said. When she brought up the story in the House, she was told, said Miss Howard, that three men were waiting for her down in her office. (Laughter and cries of "Oh!”) She was told not to go down, because they were mad—they were three wild men. said Miss Howard. They came from the underwear section of the Manufacturers’ Association, and she was told she was "truly in the gun,” ana that she did not know what she was talking about. The president of the section, who said he was an “Aussie.” talked to her as if she was a mere child. “He sailed into me for half an hour and five minutes.” said Miss Howard. “I took it all. The other two never opened their mouths. He talked the silliest nonsense I ever heard in my life, that women liked small garments. He sat down, and I had my turn. I had the evidence right there.” “Great Satisfaction” The manufacturers’ decision at Hanmer Springs to adopt marked sizes gve her great satisfaction, she said, the near future women would get their underwear marked in inches, as the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) had suggested when she was talking last year. She did not know whether it was she or the Prime Minister who had frightened them. She had t reatened that, after the election, she would go through the country and organise the women, and they "got the breeze up” “You would be amazed, Mr Speaker, how many men sneaked along to me afterwards,” said Miss Howard, amid laughter. “They said. ,‘Look at the shirts we have to put up with.’ They were as concerned with marking as were women. They like to be comfortable in their clothes, just as the women do. You and I, Mr Prime Minister, are going to get our way.” Mr Holland: Are we? Good on us! Miss Howard: Despite the president of the underwear manufacturers or anybody else, they are now going to mark them in . inches. Mr R. G. Gerard (Government. Ashburton): That was a big bloomer. (Laughter.)