BRIGHT INTERLUDE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21370, 14 March 1941, Page 8

BRIGHT INTERLUDE

ARMED FORCES APPEALS WEARING OF CORSETS l (By Telegrapn.—Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Friday A discussion on the necessity of corsets brought a new note into the serious deliberations of the No. 2 Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday when an appeal for postponement of military service until September was made on behalf of a worker in a corset factory. The application was made by Mr Andrew Galloway, managing-director of Fayreform, Limited, on behalf of his son, Thomas George Galloway, who was stated to be the only male employee left in the factory. Mr Galloway said the products ot the factory were corsets and brassieres. “What are corsets?” asked Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., chairman of the board. “I suppose that indicates my innocence. Whalebone, isn’t it?” “We have got a step past that,” said witness. “If we could replace this boy we would not appeal.” Mr Orr Walker: You do not spell “fair” correctly in the name of your firm. Witness: That is the old spelling of the word. Mr Orr Walker: I suppose it means fairy form. I never knew fairies wore corsets. Mr A. M. Samuel, a member of the board: They would be a bit cumbersome on the wing. It was stated by Mr Galloway that his son was engaged in making patterns for the work and in addition had to do the cutting. He himself was doing some of the work of the factory. Mr Orr Walker: There is nothing very terTible in that. “Is Work Essential” *'No, not at all: I am quite prepared to do my bit,” said witness. He went on to state that he had asked for the commencement of service to be put off until September, as by then master patterns would probably be coming from overseas. “You must satisfy this Court that the making of corsets is in the public interest,” said Mr Orr Walker. Witness: “Well, they are essential. Mr Orr Walker: Does every woman wear corsets ? Witness: Every woman. Mr Orr Walker: Young and old ? Witness: Yes, some sort of corset or another; and we are making all types. Mr T. P. McCready, a member of the board: Some men also wear corsets for reducing. Witness said he was asking for the postponement as “breathing space.” “The trouble is that breathing space is lost when corsets are worn too tight,” said Mr Orr Walker. “But where does the public interest come in? I take it that stout ladies feel they must have corsets, but not willowy ladies, surely.”

Witness: I think they all want them. I do not think they would go without.

The appeal was dismissed, but appellant will not be called up before June 1.