A DISCLAIMER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 23 December 1933, Page 4

A DISCLAIMER

,[To the Editor] Sir.—A recent letter of mine in defenco of “sun-bathing” on the beaches of New Zealand I find has been taken by some to mean that I am a “nudist,” and in favour of setting up “nudist schools,” and “nudist ways of life.” Amazing interpretation of my letter! I hope that next session of Parliament will pass whatever new iaw, or amendment of law, is needed to prevent the carrying on of any “nudist school” set up in this country. Such things, begun in good faith, only have the sorrowful experience of finding themselves “twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,” as Kipling says. There is a wisdom in life, which takes account not only of “right and wrong,” but of what is fitting, because expressing the deepest needs of human nature of the best kind. “Nudist ways of life” ignore those needs. “Self-expression’ ’is partly the favourite god of our day in life and in education. There is a higher and more fitting god for ms to worship. Its name is “self-restraint.” Wo want both of these in life really—but the second is tiro one more valuable for our social and political well-being. Thanking you for allowing me this disclaimer. —I am. etc.. GRACE FOX. Nelson, 22nd December.