A Protest.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5272, 31 May 1895, Page 2

A Protest.

TO THE BDITOB. Sir,— l have waited iv hopes that someone, of either 'sex, would take up their pen to deprecate the discussion which a contemporary has carried on lately upon an article of woman's clothing. As, however, Buch has not appeared — or I have not Been it — I am constrained to write and say that very many women have mentioned it to me, and all in the most unqualified terms of disapproval. They say it is immodest, it is an unwarrantable impertinence on the part of men, and it ia indecent that matters which may be rightly discussed in medical papers, should be paraded in the sight of all and sundry, including larrikins and other young people, to be brought^ up at all times — especially inconvenient times — to be questioned about and often ridiculed. Children learn what they are better in ignorance of quite soon enough without being aided and abetted by the public Press. Such things prompt inquiring minds in an undeairable direction. The privacy of woman's dress, they Bay — and with every show of justice — has no business to be invaded by the prying eyes and impertinent inquisitirenesa of prurient minds, and they are astonished that so many medical men have allowed themselves to be " interviewed "on the matter. Women are pliant in the hands of men, and prone to become what men make them; and BUch discussions as the one alluded to are calculated to offend and wound the feelings of all modest women. I hope, and so do they, th*.t we shall not see any repetition of it.— l am» & c »» JAS. IRVING, M.D. Victoria Square, Christchurch, May 30.