The Women’s Political Viewpoint

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 197, 20 August 1943, Page 4

The Women’s Political Viewpoint

Questions put to Parliamentary candidates are many and varied, all too often their intentions arc merely to entrap the candidate, and quite a proportion arc really frivolous. A list of questions, 12 in all, that clo not suffer from these defects but are, on the contrary, of outstanding consequence in the majority of cases has been published in Wellington by the Women’s Service Guild, Inc. These are being circulated to members and others to be put to all candidates for the coming General Election. To answer this set of questions in a straightforward manner after giving thought to the answers will give 'candidates something to ponder over. There is no political bias or partisanship indicated by the nature or wording of the questions. Considered as an example of the political thoughts of women, the list of questions is highly creditable, displaying as it does a high degree of acumen. They are varied in nature and a number are outstanding us expositions of a desire for constitutional reform. For example, in question 11, really several questions placed together, the request is made that a special commission of inquiry be appointed to investigate and make recommendation for the replacement of the Legislative Council By a council of men selected from various sections of the community, their duties being to scrutinise all proposed legislation and to attach thereto their recommendations for submission to the House of Representatives when in session. Next is a suggestion for a reduction in the lumber of members of Parliament, with much higher salaries and che elimination of all special allowances. This is followed by the proposal that Parliament’s term be extended from the present .hree to five years, with a qualification that no member should serve continuously more than two terms of Parliament in order to ensure that members should retain the viewpoint of the ordinary citizen ‘and not attempt to make political representation a livelihood.” Other questions touch Upon marketing, with the suggestion for eliminating the present costly system of duplication by the -State Marketing Department and private auctioneers. There is a request that all bread sold should conform to the standard weight, and another that small poultry runs, up to a maximum of 50 head of fowls, should have freedom to sell eggs privately or otherwise. Family considerations are embodied in questions which urge that State houses should be designed for the use of families with at least four children. Motherhood endowment is favoured as of right and not as a charity. Family aid centres to provide a diverse and full service are also proposed. Two or three of the questions touch directly on the war effort, and one of the most potent of these urges a considerable reduction in the number of uniformed women employed in the various services with a view to their employment in more necessary and essential- work. There is another that questions the right of Parliamentary representatives to vote on and discuss military questions, when members of their families eligible for service are not serving in the Armed Forces. Altogether the questions drawn up bear the hallmark of considerable and capable thought. Nor are they by any means just a list specially of interest to women. The frank answering of these by all candidates would do much to tell the public just wherethose who seek their support stand.