"DEGENERATE" GIRLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1919, Page 6

"DEGENERATE" GIRLS.

INDICTED BY MAYOR OF GORE. Speaking at a smoke concert at Gore on Thursday night, the Mayor, Mr. D. McDougall, expressed the opinion that the people of the present day were 011 the road to becoming degenerate. He declared that the men who had won fame for New Zealand on the field of war owed their heritage of physique and daring to their antecedents of forty years He had seen girls with powdered faces, high heels and silk stockings going towards the tennis courts in the mornings, while their mothers were engaged in scrubbing floors. One case in particular, he rememlicred] that of such a girl, who had a hole in her stocking and each time she lifted her foot a filthy heel was exhibited. InjsU.jid of such carryings on, they should be made to get up early in the morning ami. work. People should be encouraged, he continued, to bring up large, healthy families. With this aim, those in power should see that a man was in circumstances to permit comfortable living. Cradles would have to be filled, but they would not bo filled until better conditions obtained. He had been told that there was more taxation on perambulators than 011 motor-cars. If it were so it was a disgrace. "There should be no need for conscription," next announced Mr. McDougall. "Boys should be brought ap with such a love of country that they would volunteer to defend her whenever they are needed." A voice: Did you volunteer? Mr. McDougall: No, if I had the Kaiser would have been dead long ago. (Laughter). Mr. D. Millar strongly objected to Mr. McDougall's remarks, characterising them as "a slur 011 our womankind. The women of to-day," he said, "are as good as those of the early days. Mr. McDougall is talking rot."