SEARCH FOR BEAUTY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11128, 11 February 1930, Page 5

SEARCH FOR BEAUTY

: ‘‘MISS EUROPE” STREET CROWDS FOLLOW PARISIAN CANDIDATES HOW WILL PUBLICITY AFFECT GIRLS ? United Press A«*n. by El. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Feb. 9. Every capital in Europe provided this week its own story of the storm and stress associated with the selection of the most beautiful girl. There i was a fanfare of trumpets, and multitudes clamoring to inspect the beauties.

There are stories of dissent and disappointment, at least one serious riot, in Allien, and finally a tragedy in Poland, where a rejected competitor ran from tlie hall and shot herself doad.

Thousands , clamored round the beauties in Paris, whore tlie final of the judging for “Miss Europe” took place. The girls are being followed through the streets wherever they go

All this clamor is caused by competition. Many ask what effect such publicity will have on the girls. Perhaps the strongest ease against the continuance of the contests was made out by a famous artist. Mr C. R. W. Nevinson, who declares: “Beauty in woman causes her sufficient trouble”, though lie does not suppose woman would sacrifice it. " He savs:—

“It,seems unnecessary, however, to thrust competition and .suffering on womanhood in the form of international contests. The present one in Europe has been attended by tragedy, and an English beauty lias been imprisoned for theft. Also recently an Austrian beauty committed suicide.

“It is important to remember that wo do not hoar other effects of such public rivalry, which must open the door to a. great deal that is unpleasant and undesirable. Any woman who dares to face the mad scramble of public life must be equipped with a needle-sharp brain, riitliless opportunism, and a eh I rioeeros hide.”

Mr Nevinson says he once .knew a great theatrical agent who was in tho habit of tolling every girl applying for a job to marry, no matter how hadlv, rather than take a job, no matter how good. Hundreds ol girls afterwards .thanked him. It is in fact, the aftermath which has peculiarly baneful effects, both on the winners’ and losers' personal lives, disillusionment too often driving them to seek death.