CHINESE CUSTOMS

Southland Times, Issue 20615, 13 October 1928, Page 7

CHINESE CUSTOMS

ABOLITION AIMED AT CAMPAIGN BY NATIONALIST GOVERNMENT BAN ON IDOL WORSHIP (United Frees Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Shanghai, October 11. A campaign aiming at the abolition of the old-fashioned customs and the introduction of modern social, educational and athletic methods has been started by the Nationalist Government avowedly for the purpose of bringing China into line with the Western nations. Thirty-eight thousand women and girls of mid-China during the past month have unbound their feet in accordance with the Government instructions which include reference to the ability of Western women to engage in the Olympic sports which footbinding prevents. Instructions have been issued to-day from Nanking that all provincial rulers should institute a campaign against idol worship, superstitious beliefs, and such like customs. Christianity is not advocated, however, nor any alternative suggested. A ban has been placed on the sale of a gramophone record entitled “Sun Yat Sen has gone to Heaven,” which was recently issued in South China and achieved popularity. Official orders declare: “The idea is foreign to the truth and greatly disrespectful.”—Australian Press Association.