PSYCHOLOGY OF DRESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3881, 31 July 1928, Page 75

PSYCHOLOGY OF DRESS.

LIFE IN THE ISLAND OUTPOSTS. AUCKLAND, July 24. Why should a white man dress for dinner in the isolation of one of the Pacific islands and why should he read a daily newspaper which is probably a month old with his morning tea? ” These are questions which will be readily answered by Captain W. M. Bell, Resident Commissioner of the island of Savii, Western Samoa, who is now in Auckland on furlough. Only those white people ■ who lived in lonely outposts, he said to-day, can understand how the mind may become cramped and how customs may stale unless those concerned resolutely keep up the practices of civilisation. “In other words,” Captain Bell added, “ we do these things in order that we may prevent ourselves from going native. The greatest help we have in this endeavour is from books and from the few current magazines that find their way to the islands. Even illustrated catalogues from business firms, the visitor said, were helpful. Captain Bell told a ra’ther good story of a form of diversion, which is as entertaining as it is inexpensive. When a catalogue a month or two old comes’ to hand the white people will spend a w’hole evening studying the contents and making out a lengthy list 'of articles to be ordered. There is no sparing of expense and care is taken to see that such things as items of attire are of modish design and superior quality. Next day the list is destroyed, and s.o ends this harmless flutter of shopping.