AGE OF CONSENT

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 7

AGE OF CONSENT

DESIRE TO BE RAISED FLOGGING AND SURGICAL OPERATION FOR OFFENDERS. PROTECTION SOCIETY MEETS. Rcfei*ence was made to the raising of the age of consent by several speaker? at the annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children last night. The matter was introduced by Mrs '.'’hat-field, who said this was a matter for legislative attention. The age should be raised by two years. But this would ne\cr be achieved until tho men stood side by aide with the women. The Hon Dr. Newman, M.L.C., declared that he believed a measure to that offset would be passed by the House, though it would not have got through a few years ago. Women had q tremendous influence with their vote if it were only used in the light direction. AVith* proper organisations and co-operation their request should be given effect to. “You must not make the punishment tec. severe or yen will get a conviction.” declared the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, ALP.), who spoke of difficulties with juiic*. If the age v.-'i'o increased to 18, he said, this was what would happen. Mr P Frazer, M.P. : With women on the jury ? The Mayor : That might make a difference, of course. But there were other difficulties ns well. He would support the proposal if the offenders were to be tried by judges alone. Ho favoured Hoggings. A man who had been flogged once never went back to gaol again. Mrs fOr.) A. McVicar: Is that so, Mr Mayor. 5 Mr Wright: Yes. Mrs McVicar: Then let us flog them. The Mayor announced his belief in asurgical operation in certain cases, as the matter had to be dealt with drastieallv.

“But I have been on juries and I know the difficulties,” said Mr Wright. “TTiat is the other side of the story. That is why Parliament has not raised the age of consent. And that is the reason why many members, including myself, have opposed increasing the aged