WOMEN AND DIPLOMACY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 149, 25 May 1934, Page 7

WOMEN AND DIPLOMACY.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE. LONDON, May 24. The Schuster Committee has completed its report on the question of the admission of women to the consular and diplomatic services. It is understood that a majority of members agreed that the principle of women’s equality should be admitted, but that they recommend that the admission of women to the diplomatic service should at present be limited to certain posts and certain countries. The Daily Mail says there is no likelihood of women ambassadors being appointed for many years.

In view of observations on the question of the admission of women to the consular and diplomatic services made in the report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service in 1929-31, Sir John Simon set up a Commission to furnish a report. The committee consists of Sir Claud Schuster (chairman), Sir Ronald Graham, Sit Roderick Meiklejohn. Sir James Rae; Misses Ritson and Martindale, Messrs Howard Smith and Dunlop, with Mr J. W. Nicholls as secretary. The observations of the Royal Commission referred to were: “The question of whether women should be admitted to these services raises issues of high policy which can be determined only by the Government. We note that the matter was reviewed by them at the time of the passing of the Sex Disqualification Removal Act. We think the question should not be regarded as settled for all time by the decision then reached. Having regard to the time which has since elapsed we recommend that the Government should again examine the position at an early date.”