WOMEN PROTEST

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1939, Page 7

WOMEN PROTEST

OVER REGISTRATION FEE. (Per Press Association.—Copyright;. CHRISTCHURCH, May 1. By a clear majority decision, a meeting of at least 400 city and country women, held in the Radiant Hall this evening, decided against paying the Government's Social Security registration, fee of 55.: This decision was made, after a iheated discussion on the ethics of the social security. scheme. , There was a small, but determined, opposition •• to any criticism of the scheme. The critics easily .carried the, day.' . A few men attended the meeting. They endeavoured to have some say in the proceedings, but tlhcy were soon discouraged by cries of “Put him out,” and “Is this a women’s meeting?” ■ There was some difficulty, at first, in securing a chairwoman. Mrs Hilda M. Traill was the organiser of the meeting. An appeal was made, before the curtain rose, for a chairwoman, Mr H. Bliss, and Mrs E. W. Trevenna agreed to take on the task. i ne principal appeal to the audience was made by Miss H. W. Brown, who outlined the following cardinal points which she said were motivating the organisation: (1) No interference with a woman’s choice of a doctor. (2) A protest against the Government endeavouring to lead people to believe that nothing was done for the ptopie previously i>y other Governments. ' " A condemnation of the Government for misleading electors about “the true state of the country’s finances at last election,” (4) A protest against paying the full tax under the Social Security Act without full “benefits. (5) The expression of alarm at the Government's finding it necessary to tax children down to the age of 16. 16) Ts the British Medical Association to receive the same treatment of aouse and victimisation as lias been meted out, to free labour during labour strikes?” >' » orotest against legislation that “tends to destroy moral independence ana initiative, not only of the white people, but of i«e Maori.” After a good deal of debate from the floor ot the hall, a motion was asked for.

One woman said simply: “I move we w<;n’t pay the tax.” There were several seconders. On a show of hands, the motion was carried by a big majority.