WORKLESS WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 23

WORKLESS WOMEN.

M. B. Soljak's article entitled "Workless Women," in Saturday's Supplement, is the most pathetic and best of its kind that has appeared in the Press for many a long day, and after perusing it a. person finds it extremely difficult to understand the mentality and motive of.: any political party other than Reform. in excluding hundreds of frail, and penniless ■ women from even the meagre benefits accruing from the much criticised Unemployment Insurance Act. Certainly no Government styling itself Liberal 'should be guilty of discriminating between men and women at the present time, when an unprecedented industrial and commercial depression is raging throughout the Dominion—and food, clothing and shelter are the main considerations. Hftwever, women's chief troubles arise through an imperfect knowledge orf political economy, and lack of efficient organisation, and they have been held in subjection and ruled so ..long by men that most of them foolishly believe that it is part and parcel of a creative plan that they should eternally remain economic slaves. Women are again far more conservative and opposed to change than men. Otherwise, owing to their immense voting strength, they would control the political situation and annihilate ativ party denying them equal footi'ng with men. *It is obvious that if reform is desired, women must fight politically as a separate unit. Following male leaders is useless, and when women realise their immense power existing legislation "will be amended in their favour. JOHN" GUINIVEK