APPOINTING WOMEN PATROLS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1929, Page 11

APPOINTING WOMEN PATROLS

MINISTER OF JUSTICE IN FAVOUR. REPLY MADE TO A DEPUTATION. The impression generally left from reports of his speeches in Parliament that the Minister of Justice (the Hon. T. M. Wilford) was not in favour of the appointment of women police of any description was removed by replies made by the Minister to a deputation from the Federation of Justices Association in June and forwarded to the Taranaki Justices Association. The replies received from- Mr. Wilford were put before a general meeting of the association at which Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., presided last night. To a request that he take into consideration the appointment of women the Minister replied: “Under the present law no woman can be sworn in as a policewoman. Under the Police Force Act, 1913, only persons of the male sex can be appointed to the police force. I do not believe that women could carry out the regulations the policemen have to under the oath they take when joining the force, I believe that women patrols, acting with the police but not being members of the force, would meet all that you require.” After outlining an extensive list of duties the women patrols would have to fulfil Mr. Wilford concluded: “They would, of course, if appointed have to wear a distinguishing badge. I am prepared to recommend to Cabinet the appointment of women patrols.”