TAXATION OF WOMEN.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 18238, 11 July 1931, Page 2

TAXATION OF WOMEN.

11l considering the taxation of women for unemployment relief Parliament should proceed very carefully. It is true there are many unemployed women but the difficulty of providing relief work for them is much greater than in the case of men. In the circumstances it would be inequitable and wrong- in principle that funds raised from a levy upon women should be used in the relief of male unemployment. The two problems are distinct, and should be kept apart. If women are to be taxed, any funds so raised

should be specially ear-marked lor female unemployed relief, and might well be handed over to a separate women's organisation for administration on. a formulated scheme. Difficulties have been experienced; in absorbing unemployed women and girls in domestic service, for people at present cannot afford to pay even nominal wages. .Many might be prepared to receive them on the basis of a temporary home in return for domestic assistance, and this might be subsidised by a small contrbution from the women's fund by N way of pocketmoney. Under such a scheme it is conceivable that a large number of women and girls might be absorbed until such time as opportunities for permanent employment at regular wages presented themselves. That of course is merely one method of relief. There are others, which, could be better explored by a women's organisation than the present board.