BEACH COSTUMES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23205, 1 June 1937, Page 3

BEACH COSTUMES

TRUNKS NOT LEGAL MR SPOONER FIRM (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, May 21. At a time when Sydney is settling down to the fireside, the Minister for Local Government (Mr E. S. Spooner) states that he does not intend to recommend any alteration to the existing ordinance dealing with the use of bathing costumes. In other words, the use of trunks by men on the beaches will continue to be illegal, and councils will be responsible for the enforcement of the regulations. Last summer there was considerable controversy concerning the ordinance, and there were many men who ignored it They appeared on the beaches clad only in trunks, and no action was taken against them. Mr Spooner said there were many people who thought that the ordinance introduced neck-to-knee costumes. but this was not the case. Actually, the ordinance abolished the neck-to-knee variety, and legalised the modern costume that could be seen on all the beaches during the summer. If people desired to sunbakc, the councils had the power to set aside portion of the beaches for that purpose. Following Mr Spooner’s declaration, representatives of manufacturers of bathing costumes and retail traders expressed their appreciation of the fact that the Minister had made the position clear before the manufacture of the new season’s costumes had begun. There is, at least, one section of the population which is pleased with the ordinance —the woolgrowers. There is twice as much wool used in a full costume as there is in a half-costume. And while on the subject of summer wear, it is not improbable that next summer Sydney’s bus drivers will appear in shorts. Mr R. W Scotler, representing the Commissioner for Road Transport, informed the Industrial Commission this week that drivers complained that they frequently became so hot driving during the summer that they had to roll their trousers up to their knees. Mr Justice Webb: The remedy may be to provide these men with shorts. Mr Scotler: I think there would probably be objection from the union. Mr Justice Cantor: I do not see why (hat should be. There Is no doubt that one's legs got very hot while driving in the summer.