BATHING COSTUME

Opunake Times, 8 January 1935, Page 3

BATHING COSTUME

DOCTOR FAVOURS SHORTS EX COURAGE SUN-13 ATHIXG A Wellington doctor, referring to me suitability or otnenvise oi Uie new vogue in burning • volumes, described himseii as a strong supporter ol snorts aionc tor beacn w ear. '‘l cannot sutticientiy empnasise tne importance ~,l allowing tlie young men ol die country complete freedom 'o knock about on Hie beaciies and lulls in this garb,” he said. “jMost of us are city folk; me

country people have never scrupled to abandon their shirts 3ii

hot weather —that you can see tor yourselves any time during

harvesting. But the office workers cooped up all day inside, have considerable arrears of sunshine to make up during their brief holiday, it would be a mistake il they were not allowed to make the most of that short period. “(If course, the exposure ot

the torso to the sun should Ire very carefully regulated. While moderate sun-bathing is definitely beneficial to the health, too much can be equally harmful. By too much I refer to the intensity and speed of the burning process, not to the area of skin exposed;

(lie more of that (he better,” lie added with a smile. ”1 think

that in these modern days it is universally accepted by educated people that there is nothing- in itself indecent in a man’s sunha thin g or going about the beach in swimming shorts. Healthy European Attitude “During a recent visit to Europe 1 observed that health authorities in England and on the Continent were encouraging sunbathing, no< only among adults,

ut even in the schools ami health

camps for children. Germany and Italy were leading' the world in this respect. In the former country particularly men and women have adopted a very sound and reasonable outlook in

their relationships. “It is conceded that nudity in itself is seldom nearly so indecent as the deliberately provocative dress affected by a great many women, particularly for evening wear. On the bathing beaches of the Lido and of the French and Italian llivieras, holi

resorts for the civilised society of E urnpe, shorts are the common garb of bathers, ana it would be wrong to consdier moral standards there in any way rreficient. Yet not only there, but in the most conservative English watering places, young men may bathe and stroll, not only on the beaches, but ofte:i in the very streets, in shorts alone.

_ “It is the public sentiment that dictates a moral code,” concluded the doctor. "If New Zealanders, feel that the sight of a man stripped to the wsist suggests indecency to them, the moral stand arc! of the Dominion must he deplorably low, winch T cannot believe to be the case. To any normal. educated and civilised bein' 1 ’ th e woolhui shorts as recommended by the swimn mg clubs, would appear a reasonable, healthy and decent dress.”