WOMEN’S SPHERE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 3

WOMEN’S SPHERE

IN UPPER HOUSE?

AND AS JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

“Why women aro not permitted to sit in the Upper House, I do not know,” remarked the Hon. Dr Newman, M.L.C., when speaking at the annual meeting or the Society for the Protection of Women and Children last evening. Neither did the speaker know why tho measure to make women Justices of the Peace hod been rejected. If lie had been well at the time and occupying his seat in the chamber, he would most certainly have voted in its favour.

Reverting to the question of representatives m the Legislative Council, Dr Newman said it was very much easier to receive a note from the Prime Minister stating that one had been appointed to that body, than, for instance, to fight an election campaign (Laughter.) “But Ido not know why women have not got this right,” he added. “I for one do not see why they should not be appointed.” In conclusion, he urged organisation at election time, and in that manner he said, would women achieve their desires politically. Mr P. Fraser, M.P., declared that women were eminently suited to hold the position of Juetioes of the Peace, and he sincerely hoped the measure would he reintroduced. Some of those who spoke against it were out of touch with present-day thought, and their ideas were more suited to the fifteenth or sixteenth centuries.