NO WOMEN POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 12

NO WOMEN POLICE.

MINISTER DETERMINED.

FAVOURABLE TO PATROLS:

LEGISLATION REQUIRED.

[B* TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL EEPOXITEE.] WELLINGTON, Friday. Opposition to the appointment of women police was again expressed by the Minister of-Justice, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, in the House to-day. The Minister statod, however, that he was favourable toward the appointment of women patrols. Replying to members who urged the appointment of women police, Mr. Wilford pointed out that thoro was no power under the present Act to appoint women police. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour —Avon): Will you introduce the necessary legislation 1

"I will noty" was the emphatic reply of the Minister. , v While firm in his determination not to appoint women polico, Mr. Wilford stated that he was favourable toward the appointment of women patrols. The Minister, pointed out that under the law women polico could not bo appointed. They could not take the oath and he had no intention of altering the law on the subject. He had told the women's organisation which had approached him, and he repeated it now, that he had always been prepared to support the appointment of women patrols, it was only a question of a name that had caused a division.

Mr. P. Fraser (Labour—Wellington Central): Can you appoint women-patrols ? The Minister : I cannot without legislation,- but I can create tho machinery necessary for it. I will not, however, appoint women police. Mr. Fraser: That is quite clear, but you can do the other. •

; The Minister i I have told overy deputation 011 the subject that I am prepared to take up the appointment of women as patrols, but I have been misrepresented right throughout New Zealand. That does not matter, though.