WHO IS TO BLAME FOR FRIVOLITY OF THE MODERN GIRL?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17995, 4 November 1926, Page 6

WHO IS TO BLAME FOR FRIVOLITY OF THE MODERN GIRL?

EDITOR OF “ WHITE RIBBON ” CRITICISES DAILY NEWSPAPERS. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, November 3. Is the daily Press of the Dominion a menace to young girls? This at least is the opinion of some members of the W.C.T.U. movement, judging by a communication read at to-day's convention in liiA-ercargill. The letter was from the lady editor of the “ White Ribbon,” the official W.C.T.U. organ, and read as follows: “We often hear the frivolous and pleasure-loving spirit of our girlhood deplored. Is the blame wholly theirs? Must we not shoulder our share of it? What kind of atmosphere is created by the daily papers that come into our homes? Is it elevating? Take beauty competitions. Every woman entering for this has to send her photo, taken in her bathing suit, so that her physical perfections may be discussed by judges, most of whom are males. Take the photographs of film stars, of divorcees, of athletes. Thise are good in their way, but are not of the best. Is it not natural that a girl reared in an atmosphere created by these papers and f-eading nothing to act as an antidote should think all the women of today- are exhibiting their physical perfections either before the camera or on the stage ? Can we wonder at the scantily-clad figures to be seen on our streets and in our places of amusement?” After referring to the need for such a periodical as the “ White Ribbon ” to act as an inspiration to the modern young woman, the letter continues:— this Licensing Bill should act as a clarion call to every' White Ribboner. In it we see all*that heroism of the past won for us now in danger. New licenses may be granted, increased facilities for drinking, the sanctity ot the King Country* is to be threatened. Wake up sisters, ere it be too late. We arc only women. Truly' it. is so, but Florence Nightingale was only a woman, yet she laid broad and deep the foundations of the Red Cross Society. Elizabeth Fry was only' a woman, yet the germs of prison reform began a£ she sat and read to the prisoners in Newgate.” At the conclusion of the reading the president remarked that she hoped all present had taken the message to heaft. The problem of young people was one of the most difficult the W.C.T.U. had to face.