Those Lido Pyjamas

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 671, 24 May 1929, Page 9

Those Lido Pyjamas

MUSSOLINI MAY FORBID j THEIR USE BAN ON BEAUTY SHOWS (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Associationj Reed. 9 a.m. ROME. Thursday. The Prime Minister, Signor Mussolini, has issued a decree strictly forbidding beauty shows as being immoral in their tendency toward undue exaltation of feminine beauty. A fear is felt that another decree may end the reign of pyjamas on the Lido and other seaside resorts. Beauty shows have become most popular in Italy. There is hardly a town or village without a local queen or princess. The lake, seaside and mountain resorts are already preparing for the summer competitions. Under Fascism, women as well as men are expected to take a serious view of life, and a morality crusade in dress is now also sweeping Italy, it is attributed to the new influence of the Church since its reconciliation with the State. DRESSES BELOW KNEE The Catholic crusade for morality in women’s dress lias been greatly intensified by the bishops issuing letters, to be read at Sunday Mass, giving a warning that churches would be closed against women indecorously clothed. While formerly both the Government and the Press were apathetic, they are now ranged definitely on the side of the churches. The secretary-general of the Fascist Party has issued an order that all Fascist women should observe the greatest decorousness of dress. He demands that the skirt must be at least two inches below the knee. Several large Industrialists have joined the crusade, threatening women employees with dismissal unless their dresses are well below the knee.