WOMEN POLICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 May 1938, Page 7

WOMEN POLICE

APPROVED BY MINISTER DOMESTIC SERVICE TRAINING [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, May 2. The Minister-in-Charge of the Police Department (Mr. Fraser) informed a deputation from the women’s branch of the Wellington Labour Party, today, that waited on Mr. Savage and himself, that the Governnfent has decided to establish a system of women police in the Dominion. Mr. Savage indicated that some action would be taken to meet the present difficulties in respect of the training and status of domestic servants, which was another matter raised by the deputation. Mr. Fraser, replying, said he appreciated the importance of the questions that had been raised. Since he had been Minister of Education and Health, he had had one or two deputations on the matter of women police. He instanced the large amount of research work that had been done by the Department in connection with women police, and said they had to look into the powers of police matrons. Though the regulations provided other duties, the main work of matrons was to look after unfortunate women, prisoners in custody. It seemed to him, after giving the matter careful consideration, that the time had arrived when steps should be taken to recognise women police as part of the police system in the Dominion.

Speaking about the Police Force, generally, Mr. Fraser said it had developed into a great social service in country districts. Apart from prevention of delinquency and crime, there were a thousand and one other services that the police must give, and are giving to the Dominion. In this connection, he would like to express his appreciation of the work of the police in Hawke’s Bay, during the recent flood. He also paid tribute to Aero Clubs and the Air Force, which brought food to isolated people. Mr. Fraser said that when applications were called for women police, women who apply will have to come up to the proper standard of health and education, and will have to go through a good course of training. “I am forced by facts to the conclusion I long ago reached in my own mind, that women police can be of great help to the Police Force, and to society in this country,” Mr. Fraser said. “1 would like to say that like most other jobs, the successful discharge of these responsibilities depends on the women chosen. The Government can create the jobs, and as the result of my discussion with Mr. Savage some time ago, 1 am pleased to announce that women police will be appointed as soon as possible.”

Referring to domestics, Mr. Savage said they had to be trained. There was something in domestic training that should place it ahead of some other occupations. They also had to make conditions of labour right and similar to those in other occupations. He hoped there would be legislation soon to deal with the whole situation. If further facilities’ were needed for training domestics, they would have to get them. He would see the conditions in the home were made as attractive as in other occupations, and he assured the deputation that its words would not fall on deaf ears.