WOMEN AND THE LABOUR PARK

Grey River Argus, 7 May 1948, Page 4

WOMEN AND THE LABOUR PARK

Interests Discussed At The Conference [Special to “Argus”] DUNEDIN, May 6. Women held the floor' for two hours this morning when the Labour Party Conference considered remits suggesting that the Women’s Branches be (permitted to affiliate with the National Council of Women. The committee, over which Hon. C. F, Skinner, Minister of Rehabilitation, presided, made no recommndation, as the proposal involved a constitutional change, the present Constitution having no provision for any branch to affiliate with any other organisation. .Strong pleas that this should be relaxed were - made by Mrs M. A. N'ewlands (Timaru), Mrs. H. Kemp (Wellington), and Hon. Miss Howard, Minister of Health, all of whom contended that the the National Council of Women was a body composed of non-political and non-sectarian elements The President, Hon. J. Roberts, said that there was no objection whatever to women joining the Council, provided that womefl did so as individuals. But this ’proposal went much further than any such question. Finally, Mrs. Newlands moved and Mr A. C. Baxter, M.P., seconded that affiliation be permitted. The motion was defeated, and the committee’s recommendation was adopted. The same committee also recommended that women be eligible for appointment as organisers, but it made no recommendation on a suggested Women’s Advisory Council within the Party to be established. Other remits endorsed included one that the Maintenance Departmen be removed from the Magistrate’s Court buildings, and that proper facilities for women seeking advice from he Maintenance Department be provided; and that the Children’s Courts be overhauled, and brought into line with the humane policy of the Labour Party;, and that women J.P’s. be appointed to the same. When the afternoon session resumed, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser moved that the women delegates to the Conference appoint three of their number to confer with the National Executive with a view to clearing up the position regarding the National Council of Women, and to report to the next Conference.