UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 9, 10 July 1931, Page 8

UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

QUESTION OF BELIEF

NO SPECIFIC PROVISION

A Labour amendment to the Unemployment Bill to give women a legal right to the full benefits of the Unemployment' Amendment Act was defeated in the House of Representatives last night by 46 votes to 20.' The sponsor of the motion was Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon), who said that he could not conceive that it was the .wish of the House to first of all tax women and then debar them from the rights given to men. He did not think that the amendment would involve any difficulties. The Minister of Labour (the Hon. S. G. Smith): "It is a declaration that women should be paid sustenance." He said that there was ample power to help the, women if ■ ample funds were available. Mr. Sullivan:'"But we can't get any guarantee that women out of work will be employed." He was asking for justice for the women. . . After' the vote was taken Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, "Wellington Central) said that in fairness to the womenfolk the Minister should either guarantee to find work or pay them sustenance! The position of unemployed women was a grave one, as there were moral consequences. .... ' • Mr. Smith said that everything possible would be done, for.the women. A special committee would be set up to deal with the problem, i Mr. Eraser hoped that if work could not be found the Government : would promise that something would be done to maintain adequately the women out of vrork. . : '■ , ■', -.■'."' • The Prime Minister\(the Eight Hon. G. W. Forbes) said he; recognised the difficulty in bringing women under the scheme, but representations which had been made to him and the Minister of Labour made it incumbent on them to try and do something for unemployed women in the Bill. Tho Unemployment Board would be able to consider means of relief for women. At first ho did not like bringing w.onien under the Act, but he felt now that if no provision was made for them there would be complaints and criticism that the position- of unemployed women' had been completely ignored. If they were included consideration could be given to what could be done for women without binding it down hard and fast in the Bill. Ho did not know what would happen if provision were made for sustenance payments. The number of unemployed women might bo tremendously augmented. The money would be spent in providing employment if possible. No doubt that would be one of the first things tho board would consider. Assistance might be given by way of subsidy to co-operative employment. There was no desire to ovade the responsibility of providing assistance if womeri were taxed. , It had been in his mind that if there was considerable opposition' to the proposal to tax them the Government would strike it out, but he did not think they would be right in doing so. v WOMENiOIT THE BOARD. Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christehurch East) said that it wa's a pity that there was iiot a percentage' of women in the House, because if there was they could give tho men some excellent advice. He_ suggested that the Minister should give employment to gijjls by placing them in homes where mothers with large rCamilies were overworked. One or two practical women should be placed on the Unemployment Board. Mr. W. Nash (Ls.bour, Hutt) said that there should be definite authority under the Bill for payment of grants to women. The 'Minister of Labour said that tho Unemployment Board had1 already endeavoured to set up organisations to deal with unemployed women and prevent over-lapping. So far the results had been disappointing, but the Government now hoped that "the special committee which would be 'set up would copo with the'problem. ' Mr. W. Nash: "Will you grant them money individually." Mr. Smith: "No, not individually.»» He said it would be better to move slowly than rush the situation. "Why should we say to our womenfolk, 'if you are working we will tax you, if you are unemployed you can starve?' " asked Mr. B. Semple (Labour, Wellington East). It was a social crime. He challenged any Minister of tho Crown to .meet him int debate on the question—ho would' pay the expenses.' \ , Mr. B. M'Keen (Labour, Wellington South) considered that the Government should establish hostels in the main centres. The Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland): "We havo no right to ask women to pay the ,tax' unless we make specific provision for finding employment for them. . . The Minister is asking the House to give an. open cheque and let him fill in the amount. I think that is asking too much." '