WOMEN POLICE FOR N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 23498, 3 May 1938, Page 8

WOMEN POLICE FOR N.Z.

SYSTEM TO BE SET UP BY STATE ASSISTANCE PROMISED FOR SOCIETY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 2. The Minister in Charge of the Police Department (the Hon. P. Fraser), informed a deputation from the women’s branch of the Wellington Labour Party today that waited on the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) and himself that the Government has decided to establish a system of women police in the Dominion. Mr Savage indicated that some action would be taken to meet the present difficulties in respect to the training and status of domestic servants, which was another matter raised by the deputation. Mr Fraser, replying to the deputation, said he appreciated the importance of the questions that had been raised. Since he had been Minister of Education and Minister of Health he had had one or two deputations on the matter of women police. He instanced the large amount of research work that had been done by the department about women police, and said they had to look into the powers of police matrons. Though the regulations provided other duties, the main work of matrons was to look after unfortunate women prisoners in custody'. It seemed to him after giving the matter careful consideration, that the time had arrived when steps should be taken to recognize women police as part of the police system in the Dominion. Speaking about the police force generally, Mr Fraser said it had developed into a great social service in the country districts. Apart from the prevention of delinquency and crime, there were a thousand and one other services that the police must give and were giving to the Dominion. He would like to express his appreciation of the work of the police in Hawke’s Bay during the recent flood. He also paid a tribute to the aero clubs and the Air Force which brought food to isolated people. ' Mr Fraser said that when applications were called for women police, the women who apply would have to come up to the proper standard of health and education and would have to go through a good course of training. “I am forced by the facts to a conclusion I long ago reached in my own mind, that women police can be a great help to the police force and to society in this country,”' Mr Fraser said. “I would like to say that, like most other jobs, the successful discharge of these responsibilities depends on the women chosen. The Government can create the jobs and, because of my discussion with Mr Savage some time ago, I am pleased to announce that women police will be appointed as soon as possible.”