COMMUNITY PROBLEMS

Northern Advocate, 21 March 1934, Page 5

COMMUNITY PROBLEMS

WOMEN MEET PRIME MINISTER. N.Z. “BEHIND THE TIMES.” (Per Press Association.—Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The A'iews of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union on the punishment of persons guilty of sexual offences, women police and film censorship were yesterday placed before the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W, Forbes, and the Minister of Justice, the Hon, J. G. Cobbe. Mrs T. E. Taylor, the president- of the union, said in cases of persons guilty of sexual offences the sentences should be indeterminate, as a safeguard of-public health and of women and children. Mrs Perryman said women had been appointed to the Police Force in other parts of the world, but Noav Zealand Avas apparently lagging behind. The principal objective Avas that Avomen police should be able to- proA’ent crime. The Government seemed to be paying more attention to the welfare of farm stock than to future generations. Miss C. E. Kirk suggested that a Board of Censors be appointed to improve the .quality of films being shown. The board should include at least one woman and certainly not any one financially intrested in the film industry.

Mr Forbes, in reply, pointed out that penalties for sexual offences Avere very severe, but at the same time he realised that the offenders should be prevented as far as possible from injuring the community. Regarding Avomen police, the Government at present w r a.s obtaining reports from other parts of the world, and these AA T ould be placed before Cabinet as soon as they Avere completed. He would discuss the question of films censorship Avith the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr Forbes, said the union ahvays made reasonable requests of the Government and Avas entitled to serious consideration.