BATHING COSTUMES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1935, Page 5

BATHING COSTUMES

AS STREET ATTIRE

BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION.

(Per I'rett l»sociation — Copyright j

AUCKLAND, Jenu a ry 24. After ,a .candid discussion last evening the Takapuna Borough Council decided it had no power to deal with the wearing of bathing suits in the streets, even if they wei’e objectionable.

A woman member of the Council, Mi's BUxufield, urged a by-law be passed (prohibiting the wearing of bathing costumes, without wraps, in the main streets and shopping areas. She said a number of gi'Ts we r e doing Friday night stripping o'ad only in scanty bathing suits. The police bad neen .spoken to but they said they could take no action. The Mayer, (Mr J. Guiniven), said the Council could not prescribe the type of attire to be worn in the streets.

“Gandhi goes into the highest society, jelad an!y in a shirt. If they can’t stop such things in England, thei'c is no chance of doinr it in Takapuna. Ninety-five iper cent of the women wearing the new style costumes were married, and many were ranked among the most respecta'bi'e in Auckland. It could not be proved in court, that such women were dressing 'indecently.

Next year, he thought, the costumes which were criticised this ycor, wou.d pass unnoticed.”

A- •counciPior said one l v ° men had been seen in the shopping area, wearing only shorts and brassieres.

The Mayor; “Would you say she was immoral ?”

Mi's Blomfio'd said she was concerned with the wearing of uncovered bathing suits in the streets, but the M a yor retorted that if a costume were decent and moral on the beach it wa s decent and moral on the streets. It had to be remembered that Takapuna was a seaside resort.