Students Ask For Shorter Skirts

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 2

Students Ask For Shorter Skirts

(New Zealand Press Association) WESTPORT, February 28. “Unfortunate publicity” over a small matter had built up out of all proportion, said the principal of the Buller High School (Mr G. A. Leary) last evening.

He was commenting at a board meeting on a petition received from more than 100 girl students saying that they considered the regulation length of their uniform was “unreasonable.”

“There is now a blatant defiance in some quarters to school regulations,” he said. He could understand a deputation from the girts, but they must realise that once a regulation was agreed on, it must be adhered to. “I am disturbed that some of these girls have active support from their parents,” Mr Leary said. Since the controversy had begun, he had been besieged with offensive phone calls and abusive letters from parents. The regulations were the same as last year, and no objections had been received then.

Some third formers had all the obstinacy and rudeness of the most offensive adults, and about 20 girls were still wearing their uniforms five inches above the knee. “I like girts’ knees as much as anyone; in fact, short skirts are sometimes quite attractive, but they are most unsuitable for school wear,” he said.

The situation had given the staff a lot of concern. He proposed that a note be sent to the parents Involved saying

that the regulation length was one inch from the ground when kneeling, and if the hems had not been altered to a decent length by Thursday the girls would be sent home.