TRUNKS BANNED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 135, 9 June 1937, Page 10

TRUNKS BANNED

SYDNEY BEACH COSTUMES

FIRM ATTITUDE ADOPTED

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, May 21.

At a time when Sydney is settling down to the fireside, the Minister of Local Government (Mr. Spooner) states that he does not intend to recommend any alteration to the existing ordinance dealing with the use of bathing costumes. In other words, the use of trunks by men on the beaches will continue to be illegal, and councils will be responsible for the enforcement of the regulations.

Last summer there was considerable controversy concerning the ordinance and there were many men who ignored it. They appeared on the beaches clad only in trunks and no action was taken against them.

Mr. Spobner said there were many people who thought that the ordinance introduced neck-to-knee costumes, but this was not the case.' Actually; the ordinance abolished the neck-to-knee variety and legalised the modern costume that could be seen on all the beaches during the summer. If people desired to sunbake, the council had the power to set aside portion of the beaches for that purpose.

Following Mr. Spooner's declaration, representatives of manufacturers of bathing costumes and retail traders expressed their appreciation of the fact that the Minister had made the position clear before the manufacture of the new season's costumes had begun.

There is at least one section of the population which is pleased with the ordinance —the woolgrowers. There is twice as much wool used in a full costume as there is in a half costume.