UNEMPLOYED WOMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20882, 26 May 1931, Page 11

UNEMPLOYED WOMEN.

PROBLEM IN THE CITIES. POSSIBILITIES OF ASSISTANCE. GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS. The introduction of a scheme for the assistance of unemployed women, involving the establishment throughout the Cominion of central committees similar to those at present dealing with unemployed men, was foreshadowed by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith, yesterday. Replying to a deputation representing the Women's Unemployment Committee of the New Zealanders' Association, the Minister said he had had in mind such an organisation and he had hoped he would have been in a position to make a public announcement that morning concerning the steps to be taken. The deputation was introduced by Mr. G. C. Munns, M.P., and on its behalf Mrs. G. Stowe said that with over 1000 women out of work in the city the position was desperate. Definite knowledge had been obtained of girls having been compelled to resort to degradation to avert starvation. Remarking that the deputation was really seeking advice, Mrs. Stowe asked the Minister if the Government would make the association, or any other responsible organisation, a grant to assist unemployed women.

The Minister said he was conscious of the seriousness of the position. Assistance would involve money, but he was not so much concerned with that. At all costs the women had to be protected. Without committing himself to any particular line of action, he had in mind as a preliminary step the provision in each city of complete organisations that would handle the matter. Those organisations could operate as central committees and should consist of representatives of various women's organisations, together with probably two nominees representing the Minister. With a properly officered committee in each centre, cases could be investigated and information obtained as to the occupations the women were prepared.to take. " We may not be able to find work for everybody this winter," said the Minister. "We are going to do our best, but we must have complete co-operation and we must ensure that no one goes short of food or shelter." He indicated that an announcement would be mado as soon as tho proposals had been completed.