38,000 WOMEN UNBIND THEIR FEET

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18587, 12 October 1928, Page 1

38,000 WOMEN UNBIND THEIR FEET

CHINA ASPIRES TO WESTERN STANDARDS. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received October 12, 9.15 a.m.) SHANGHAI, October 11. A campaign aiming at the abolition of 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 Western nations. Thirty-eight thousand women and girls of mid-China, during the past month have unbound their feet in accordance with Government instructions, which include reference to the ability of Western women to engage in Olympic sports, which foot-binding 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 an 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. The official orders declare: “ The idea is foreign to the truth and greatly disrespectful.”—Australian Press Association.