COSTUMES FOR BATHERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 May 1937, Page 2

COSTUMES FOR BATHERS

NO CHANGE IN N.S.W. LAW SYDNEY. May 18. The Minister for Works and Local Government (Mr. Spooner) said last night htat he did not intend to recommend any alteration to the existing ordinance dealing with the use of bathing costumes. Mr. Spooner’s decision means that the use of trunks by men on Sydney’s becahes will continue to be illegal, and councils will be responsible for enforcement of the regulations. At the end of last bathing' season men on some beaches wore trunks, and no action was taken against them. “There are still a few people,” Mr. Spooner said last night, “who think that the 19,25 ordinance introduced neck-to-knee costumes. Actually it abolished that costume and legalised the modern costume that may be seen on all beaches during the summer.

“A request was made subsequently that the wearing of trunks by males should be legalised. From many quarters there also comes a request that the standard of dress on the beaches should be acceptable to all v’ho desire to bathe and not only to those who desire to wear trunks. “For those who' desire to sunbake, the councils have all the necessary powers to set aside portion of the beaches for that purpose. “Requests for the amendment of the ordinance, however, have not been made by the council's who control the beaches. • “The ordinance is under the administration of the councils; because a few councils did not accept their responsibility and enforce the ordinance last summer that does not establish a case for amendment of the ordinance. “The councils should not endeavour to determine which ordinances they should observe, for it is their duty to enforce the law as it stands. If councils desire to establish their case for greater powers they should show that they can enforce the powers they already possess.”