WOMEN IN STRONG PROTEST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 May 1939, Page 9

WOMEN IN STRONG PROTEST

ITo The Rriitm I Sir, —From the time the overseas financial expert declared that the New! Zealand Government’s Social Security ; scheme was an unsound and an im-! practicable proposition, there has been j great uneasiness in the minds of the' women of this country. That uneasi-1 ness has now developed into the i strongest conviction that that expert i knew what he was talking about. I The necessary taxation will be so I burdensome and crippling to indiv.'d-! uals and industries alike that the un-1 soundness and the impracticability of! I the whole scheme is staring us in the j i face. The weight of this taxation on | i single women—unable to earn and wilh j j very limited means—and girls and boys. ; who are infants in the eyes of the law, is cruelly severe.

These cases are certainly a crying shame on those responsible for such legislation. A letter in the Christchurch “Press” from a woman, appealing to all women of New Zealand to rise and unite into one organised fighting movement of protest against this unjust Social Security law, which has been forced upon them. It has taken from them that Justice and Freedom which they have a right to demand under our British Constitution. The response to this appeal was amazing. Letters, both public and private—many containing donations —were received, and a meeting was called and a committee was formed. Any interference whatever between a woman and her doctor is an outrage. The doctors are a noble army of men who have never, in any way, or at any time, let their patients down, and we can never be grateful enough to them for their united and determined stand against this Government’s attempt to socialise them. It is now surely up to us to stand by them with equal determination. This women’s protest movement is non-party and in no way advocates non-payment of these taxes, so is definitely not encouraging anyone to defy the law. That matter is left to every individual’s own discretion, but, in every way, this movement will endeavour to increase the strength of its numbers of protesting women. Like all causes championed by British blood, our forces will strengthen as the battle lengthens. (Thank God for the freedom of the Press which enables us to get into touch with our kindred-spirited fellows, so let us use this glorious freedom while it is still open to us. So arise! Women of Nelson, and join us in our protest against these wrongs.—l am, etc., E.C. Christchurch, 10th May.