BEAUTY CONTESTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17180, 10 February 1930, Page 6

BEAUTY CONTESTS

UPROAR IN EUROPE TRAGEDY AND RIOTING . AN ARTIST'S Ct>NDEMNAT'IOX (Received February 10, 2 p.m.) LO.VDOX, l«bb. 9. Every capital in Europe provided this week its own story of the storm and stress associated with the selection of the most, beautiful girl. There was a lon fare of trumpets, and multitudes clamoring to inspect tho beauties. There are stories of dissent and disappointment, at least, one serious riot, m Athens, and finally a tragedy in Poland, where a rejected competitor ran' from the hall and shut herself death Thousands clamored round the beauties in Paris, where the final of the judging tor "Miss Europe" took place. The girls are being followed through the streets wherever they go. All this clamor is caused by competition. Many ask what effeci such publicity will have on the girls. Perhaps the strongest case, against the continuance of tho contests was made out by a famous artist, Mr V. 1!. W. Nevinson, who declares: "Beauty in woman causes her sufficient trouble,'' though lie does not suppose woman would sacrifice it. It seems unnecessary, however, .to thrust competition and suffering on womanhood in the form of international contests. The present one in Europe has been attended by tragedy, and an English beauty has been imprisoned for theft. Also recently an Austrian beauty committed suicide. "II is important to remember that we do not hear other effects of such public rivalry, which must- open the doors to a great deal that is unpleasant and undesirable-. Any woman who dares to face the mad scramble of public life musl be equipped with a needle-sharp brain, ruthless opportunism, and a rhinoceros bide." Mr. Nevinsou says lie once knew a great theatrical agent who was in the "habit of telling every girl applying foi l 0 job to marry, no matter how badly, rather than take a job, no matter how good. Hundreds of girls afterwards thanked him. It is in fact, the aftermath which has peculiarly baleful effects, both on the winners' and losers' personal lives, disillusionment too often driving them to seek death.