SOCIAL SECURITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 118, 22 May 1939, Page 17

SOCIAL SECURITY.

PROTEST BY WOMEN

PETITION" TO GOVERNMENT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sundav. ! We. the undersigned loyal subjects of His Majesty"* Government residing in New Zealand, respectfully request the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, to take ste[*s to repeal the social security legislation. We believe it is not in keeping with the traditions of British freedom or justice. We also demand the restoration of social services and benefits in existence before the coming into operation of the Act."' This was presented by Miss H. W. Brown (Christchurch) as a rough draft of a petition from supporters of the \Vomen"s Social Security Protest Movement at a meeting attended by more than 90 women and about 10 men at Rangiora. .., No motion was passed at the meeting, but the support of Rangiora and North Canterbury women was discussed by the chairman, Mrs. E. A. Hotchkin, exception being taken only to the use of the word "'demand." The proposals' met with general favour when it was stated that thft word "demand" was not intended, but that the petition was a "prayer." At the end of the meeting a number of women were enlisted to help in work in the district.

Mrs. K. \Y. Treveiina. chairman of the meeting in Chrteteliurch, said tliat she wished to make it clear that she was not connected in this matter with either the National or Labour parties or other political creeds. She was. however, part of the great middle class — a class which had given the Government a great deal of rope, but the patience of which could be tried too far.

"Xow we are told the famous Social Security Act has come into operation and we are going to defy the law if we ohjeet to registering and paying the ;">/ yearly tax." said Mrs. Trcvenna. "Js the Government going to enforce a law when it has not carried out. and cannot carry out, the pledges in that Act?"'