N.Z. SOCIAL SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 153, 25 March 1944, Page 7

N.Z. SOCIAL SERVICES

Interest Of Parliamentary Delegation

■(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Received March 24. 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. New Zealand’s social services are likely to be one of the chief interests of the Empire Parliamentary Association delegation during its stay in the Dominion. There is particular interest in its financial side —how a country like New Zealand can afford a system which countries with greater .populations have so far considered they are unable to afford. The full list of visitors is: Colonel E. T. R. Wickham (Conservative), Lord Listowel, Messrs. H. TV. Butcher (Liberal Nationalist), F. Collindridge (Labour), R. Etherton (Conservative), S. F. Markham (National Labour), W. R. D. Perkins (Conservative), R. Purbrick (Conservative). G. S. Summers (Conservative), Dr. Edith Summerskill (Labour). Dr. Summerskill, who made her reputation by being a champion of woman’s rights, is curious to learn why women do not take a greater part in public life in Australia and New Zealand, and why : there is only one woman representative in each Parliament. “Frankly, lam puzzled,” she said. “I find it extremely difficult to understand.” She has a pleasing sense of humour and describes herself as the personification of what were once considered outrageous ideas. “I am a woman doctor and a woman M.P., but I am glad to say both ideas are now taken for granted,” she said. Mr. Bummers, who visited New Zealand a few years before the war, is looking forward to renewing many friendships. . . Mr. Perkins, who founded the British Airline Pilots’ Association, is particularly interested in civil air transport.. All members of the delegation said they were very keen to see New Zealand, of which they had heard so much.