WOMEN JUSTICES

Feilding Star, Volume 2, Issue 317, 22 August 1924, Page 3

WOMEN JUSTICES

MEMBERS Oh THE UPPER HOUSE AGAINST THEM. BILL DEFEATED BY J 7 VOTES TO b. (Per Press Association A Wellington, August 21. The Council met at 2.20 p.m. In moving the committal of the Justices of the Peace Amendment Rill, Mr 1J is lop read a petition signed by three representatives oi the National Council of Women. He pointed out that every oilice was now open to women, who were no longer regarded us interior to men. Why should this remaining distinction he denied them? Mr Michel opposed. While women hud the right of election to Parliament and oilier positions, it was significant that in no ease bad they yet been returned. Mr 'Jriggs said Unit without the Government Party’s assistance the Bill had passed the other House three times. Therefore there must be considerable public support behind it. Mr Campbell condemned the measure /is unnecessary and undesirable. He would oppose any measure that obliged women to hear profane and indecent language as occupants of the Bench. Sir Francis Bell opposed the Bill on its merits. Women and men could not sit together on the Bench. Men could not and never would discuss filthy obscenities in a judicial way with women. Mr Moore said the Bill was launched with party motives. Mr Malcolm favoured the measure pointing out that as women already had a right to the Throne and oilier positions it was absurd to deny them that of Justices of the Peace. The Bill was defeated by 17 votes ■to six.