Mini-Skirts In Church

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31177, 29 September 1966, Page 2

Mini-Skirts In Church

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

MELBOURNE, September 28.

Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist Church leaders in Melbourne yesterday supported the wearing of mini-skirts in church.

They backed a statement by the Anglican minister of Wonthaggi, the Rey. George Martin, that if young people wanted to wear mini-skirts to church it was their business and “all right by him.”

He said it was part of his plan to get more young people to church. The Anglican Archdeacon of Kew, the Rev. W. H. Graham. said his experience was that people who objected to mini-skirts were mostly mid-dle-aged and old. “To young people they represent today’s way of life,” he said.

“I support the wearing of mini-skirts in church because it is part of youth today and part of fashion. “My church does not frown on it.

“I don’t think mini-skirts will actually attract more young people to church but if we damn them it could reduce attendances.” The Rev. Gordon Powell, of Scots Presbyterian Church, said he would never turn away girls in mini-skirts. “I would prefer a more con-

ventional type of dress for the worship of God,” he said, “but if young people feel at home in mini-skirts then by all means let them come to church.

“I see nothing immoral in mini-skirts. The only thing that worries me is that I often can’t tell if the wearer Is 14 or 34.”

Mr A. H. Wood, the 70-year-old principal of the Methodist Ladies’ College at Hawthorn, said he had no objections to girls wearing mini-skirts to church.

“The Important thing is that they come to church,” he said.