MUSSOLINI BANS BEAUTY CONTESTS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6918, 25 May 1929, Page 7

MUSSOLINI BANS BEAUTY CONTESTS

PYJAMA PARADES AT LIDO. United Press Association —By Electrit Telegraph—Copyright. ROME, May 23. Signor Mussolini, the Italian Premier, has issued a decree strictly forbidding beauty competitions. The Duce. considers that these competitions aro immoral in their tendency to unduly exalt feminine beauty. •It is feared that another decree may end the reign of pyjamas at Lido and other seaside resorts.

Beauty shows have become most popular in Italy. There is hardly a town or village without a local queon or a princess. Tho lake, seaside and mountain resorts were already preparing for the summer competitions. Under the Fascist rulo women as well as men are expected to take a serious view of life.

A morality crusade in dress is now also sweeping Italy. This is attributed to the new influence of the Church since the reconciliation with the State.

Decorous Dress ROME, May 23. The Roman Catholic move for more modest feminino fashions _ has been greatly intensified by tho bishops issuing letters to-be read on Sunday, with tho warning that the churches will be closed against women indecorously clothed. While formerly both the government and press wero apathetic, they aro now ranged definitely on tho side of the churches.

The Secretary-General of the Fascist party has issued an order that all Fascist women should observe the greatdecorousness of dress, with the demand that skirts must be at least two inches below the knee.

Several largo industrialists have joined the crusade, threatening tho women employees with dismissal unless their dresses arc well below the knee.