UNEMPLOYED WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 129, 3 June 1931, Page 9

UNEMPLOYED WOMEN.

REV. MR CALDER'S CHALLENGE

WANTS PROOF OF ALLEGATION

COMMITTEE INDIGNANT,

Indignant comment on an article written by the Rev. Jasper Calder, of the City Mission, was made by several speakers at the weekly meeting- of the women's unemployment committee of the New Zealanders' Association last evening.

"An immense amount of political capital and agitation has centred round the admittedly pressing problem of women unemployed." stated Mr. Calder. ''While naturally I have every possible sympathy for the unfortunate women themselves,. I have no sympathy whatever for the hysterical utterances of certain obscure people who make sweeping statements without weighing their words. The statement of a woman member of the unemployment committee of the New Zealanders , Association is open to a strong challenge from every social worker in the town.

"One woman is reported to have said that definite knowledge had been obtained of pirls having been compelled to resort to degradation to avert starvation. I emphatically challenge this woman to prove her statement. Frankly, I am quite satisfied that it is a horrible slander based on ignorance and inspired by hysteria. However kindly intentioued Mrs. Stowe may be (and her kindness is not under discussion), I refuse pointblank to believe that any woman has in actual fact resorted to immorality in order to avoid starvation. If this be true, all I can say is that of two evils., charily and immorality, the woman has surely chosen the greater evil." "We are not going to take stuff like this lying down/' said Mr. C. E. Collins. secretary of the New Zealanders' Association." There followed excited talk from all parts of the room.

" 'One for all and all for one' is our motto/'" said Mrs. G. Stowe, secretary of the committee. 1, 1 know definitely that all I have said is correct!"

Several speakers epoke in highly indignant strains and denounced Mr. C&lder. There was confusion for a time until one speaker said: "We are losing all our dignity by this quibbling. What we want is unity instead of slighting these people. We are here to help each other and we do not want the association to be belittled in this manner. Xo useful purpose can be served by talk such as this."

Earlier in the proceedings, the secretary of the committee said that the association wanted it known that they had no connection with any other organisation. They woTked in their own way and did their best for the unemployed women of Auckland.

A resolution, signed by 35 women, was passed, protesting against the suggestion that any other organisation be granted permission to hold a street collection before the women's unemployment committee of the Xew Zealanders' Association.