TO BE REORGANISED

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1936, Page 6

TO BE REORGANISED

RELIEF FOR WOMEN EMPLOYMENT MINISTER ADMITS SEVERAL ANOMALIES [Per Press Association. — Copyright} WELLINGTON, This Day. Seventeen members of the Working Women’s Movement representing Auckland, Gisborne, Hastings, Wellington, and Christchurch, waited as a deputation upon the Minister of I Employment, Hon. H. T. Armsrtong, and expressed the hope that many reforms would be brought about in the coming year.

Special emphasis was laid on the injustice of the present regulations as to the position of women in need of relief. There was no State relief allotted to them, and the emergency committee which attended to their cases had been composed of women interested in social welfare, but not themselves affected by any arrangements made. New Regulations. Mr Armstrong assured the women that new regulations would treat women and men alike, and he would definitely urge that all relief committees should have representation from among the unemployed themselves. He realised that numbers of women were not getting enough sustenance, but, at the same time, the Unemployment Board was not able to meet the enormous demand at present made upon it, and some | other arrangements would have to be made for many of those at present draining it.

Possibly an invalidity pension would meet the case of many of those unfit for regular work. Another Anomaly. , Another long recognised anomaly endured by women, it was stated, was that a deserted wife could claim the family allowance only if she had her husband’s signature on her application form. The absurdity of this arrangement was admitted by the Minister, who promised that immediate reform would be made in this and in other directions. As regards milk rations, Mr Armstrong agreed that in New Zealand milk was wasted, while people needing it could not afford to buy it. At the same time, the Unemployment Board could not, of itself, meet any extra expenses. However, a report had already been prepared on the question of the free distribution of milk to children, and the matter would be thoroughly thrashed out by the Cabinet.

Mr Armstrong promised that the end of the month would see the beginning of many long-needed reforms.