CLOTHES AND THE MAN

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1927, Page 3

CLOTHES AND THE MAN

Tlio bright London writer who Roily criticises the clothes of politicians (criticisms which we are permitted to see in the cable news) gave our Mr Coates quite n hearing, but appeared., to believe that Mr Bruce. Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, was sartorially the very last thing in Premiers, never stirring forth without his spats, his slim umbrella and his shiniest silk hat. Mr Parry, an Auckland M.P.. mentioned in the House that the Imperial Conference was .a eollee- j tion of political gentlemen gathered together to admire each other’s clothes. Mr Parry himself is not ignorant of the effect of a smooth-haired Ilorsolino hat may have on the proletariat, for it is no longer fashionable for a Lnliour member to pretend he is pover-ty-stricken and to wander about looking like a rag picker. The London clothes reporter mentioned that, the Labour members were the best dressed men in the House. A few years ago the whole virtues a I the Labour party were supposed to concentrate in the deer-.stalker cap ol Keir Hardie, and it was pointed out that John Burns helped to run the country in a rough tweed coat, when if he had been a duke he would have had to wear a sinful frock coat and a wicked belltopper. It isn’t even fashionable to have one’s finger-nails in mourning at a Labour caucus meet-

ing nowadays. A few years a."o Labour people wore SO violently virtuous that a Labour Speaker in an Australian Parliament took his place without a wireHe could have demonstrated his democracy equally well ihy appearing in dungarces and with his coat off. That phase has passed, aiul the Labour menthol whose heart bleeds most copiously for his down-trodden brothers has the bal-

dest crease down the log of his trousers. It really points to a larger

equality. Not many hundred years ago expression in clothes was the monopoly of the .ruling classes. Tn the middle ages laws regulated these matters. The lowly person who imitated his betters giving up his leather jerkin for the. silken coat of a gay galhurt, would be thrown into gaol or he whipped. Nowadays he is only the millionaire or the lauded swell who can afford to he shabby. By the wav. British leaders, who don’t care a red cent, whether their hags bag at the knees, provide valets for colonial leaders who go to London. It was noted that the late Mr Massey, who thought little of these matters, was immaculately attired when in London.—Auckland “Star.”