WOMEN WITHOUT HATS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 244, 15 October 1932, Page 4

WOMEN WITHOUT HATS

ENGLISH COURT INCIDENT MAGISTRATE’S SEVERE CENSUIfU A young woman who appeared iu tho witness box without a hat was rebuked 5 by the chairman. Brigadier-General IS Lushingtou, at Aidershot, on August 29. '■ The Chairman: Do you possess such a thing as a hat? Witness: No, sir. What? No hat at all —Not here, sir. The Chairman: Well, let me tell you this, you are the first woman who baa appeared before nie wearing no hat. It ia an insult tu the Court and a most disreputable procedure. Later. General Lushingtou said: “The way you have given your evidence shows that you are a person of extraordinarily light and foolish mind. Understand, young woman, that when i- you come here again, you must dress e iu a proper and respectful manner. This e Court is not going to be treated in this h way, and if you are not thoroughly f ashamed of yourself for the way you '■ have feme here and the wav in which i. you have given your evidence, you g ought to be. The Court will disallow •- your expenses.” *, General Lusliington said subsequently t in au interview: “The reason for my t action was because my brother magistrates and the clerk objected to the ’ i woman not wearing a hat. It is a inat--11 ter of observing the common decencies e in showing respect for God and the law. I People show their respect to God when e I they enter a church. They should show 1 the same respect to the law when they e enter a Court. “Suppose a solicitor vaine into Court ii with no collar or tie and his waistcoat 1 undone. There may he no law against » this, but there is no doubt that.he i would l»u showing disrespect to the r Court. Law or no law, there are certain public decencies which must be observed. As magistrates, we consider t that we should maintain an atmosphere r of respect- and decency in Court.” j Only the previous week a woman who - appeared at the Coventry ('ountv Pulice 1 Court without a hat was nut allowed to give evidence ou oath. j A Home Office official remarks; “Tho , wearing of hats by women in Court* j of Law is purely a matter of custom , and courtesy.” Dr. D. Knight, of the Women’s Freedom League, said: “Magistrates should get on with their job and stop making • impertinent, remarks about wmueu’f I e'othee. ‘ ’