MODERN JAPANESE

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 113, 9 April 1930, Page 15

MODERN JAPANESE

DAINTILY ATTRACTIVE GIRLS. CHINESE RETAIN CUSTOMS. Japanese girls in Honolulu are dressed in tho latest American style, down to high heeled patent leather shoes, and their dainty figures mako them very attractive, according to an address given to the Palmerston North Citizens’ Lunch Club yesterday by Mr M. A. Eliott, who spoke on various aspects of his visit last winter to Honolulu. , “Tho loyalty and patriotism of tho Japanese to their country appear to bo as strong in thoso born in Hawaii as in those who come from Japan,” ho stated. “Several boys told me that if trouble occurred in the Far East they would not hesitate to leave for Japan, although they could not be compelled to do so and it would mean throwing up good jobs, while owing to American immigration laws they would not be allowed to return to Hawaii. The generally expressed opinion is that the United States has almost as big a problem to face in dealing with the rapidly increasing numbers of Japanese in Hawaii as they have with tho negroes in the eastern and southern States. Chinese women, on the other hand, still generally retain their native dress and one sees quaint little figures in blouse and trousers, and sometimes with bound up feet, toddling down to work in the pine-apple cannery or their own oriental stores. “While on tho subject of dress, the self-esteem of many women in New Zealand would be considerably modified if they knew that the day the liner arrives in Honolulu from Auckland is known as ‘freak’ day and that when the mail boat arrives in San Francisco from Wellington it is called ‘antique’ day. The stores say that they know New Zealanders by their feet. “We had the pleasure of. attending several of the weekly dances held at tbe Royal Hawaiian Hotel. At these affairs one got views and ideas, more of the former than the latter, of the latest American styles in costumes and methods of hugging one’s dancing partner. Both appeared very fascinating and will no doubt find their way to New Zealand in a year or two. Many of the girls dance without stockings on, but as their legs are generally well browned by intentional exposure to the sun the effect is generally quite in harmony with their costumes and does not offend (rood ta6te.

“Many people are under the impression that hotels are very expensive in Honolulu. While it is true that accommodation costs from £2 10s upwards per day in a certain hotel, it is equally true that very comfortable high class accommodation can be obtained at £5 per week. The actual cost of livin' 1 ’ in Honolulu can be set down at about 4s as compared with 2s 6d in New Zealand. The cost of sections for residential purposes runs from one dollar to one dollar 50 cents, per square foot in most localities, but if a choice section is desired on Waikiki Beach five dollars and over per square foot would bo paid. Electric light costs 10 cents, per kilowatt hour and power five cents.”