PARIS WOMEN’S EXTRAVAGANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 15 June 1920, Page 2

PARIS WOMEN’S EXTRAVAGANCE

M, Matgal, ‘Minister of Finance, is nothing if not ingenious, says the Paris correspondent, of - The Times. Be is horrified at the general extravagance of women these days, anj decided to do his bit of persona] propaganda against it. He arranged that an influential lady who shared Iris views should invito him to an “at home” of those of her friends who were notably over-dressed or under-dressed at great expense. At the close of the afternoon, and much to their surprise, these ladies were told - that the Minister of Finance was going to address them, and this, he did in fiery fashion. No terms of supplication were to he found in, his speech, but, instead, the ladies received an upbraiding for having silken robes on their backs now, when every van! of material saved meant so much more labour spent in more profitable production. “You should wear a coat and skirt, and only one,” he exclaimed, “and not chop and change from one robe to another as often as there are horn's in the day.” The ladies, wlio were then told, to put the‘savings thus made in the new Joan, went away much impressed. Some bought loans, others bomrht a new coat and skirt, which, till then, they had not needed.