NOMINEE FOR NORTH STATES VIEWS ON NATIONAL TOPICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18469, 22 May 1928, Page 13

NOMINEE FOR NORTH STATES VIEWS ON NATIONAL TOPICS.

MRS T. E. TAYLOR WILL SUPPORT SEX EQUAUTY. As well as being the accredited representative of the United Party for the Christchurch North seat at the coming election, Airs T. E. Taylor is standing as a representative of the feminist movement. When women were first enfranchised, said Mrs Taylor in an interview with a “ Star ” reporter yesterday, the idea was that possibly a woman’s party would come into being. It was found that it would not be practicable to carry this out and women in different countries had generally come to the conclusion, although the point was still controversial, that it was better for them to ally themselves with sotne political party—a party that woxild give them sufficient freedom to express women’s desires in connection with citizenship duties, responsibilities, local and national legislation and the administration of that legislation. AS far as defining the details of what the feminist movement proposed to do, it was not an easy matter, added Airs Taylor. Alaude Royden had rightly said that “ There is something that women can bring into public life that makes the whole so complete.” There should not be the man’s point of view and the women’s point of view. They should be blended. CHILD WELFARE. Questions that xvould particularly concern her would be in regard to the well-being of young people and child life. The qxxestions of training in character and in community and national service xvould be emphasised. In the past they had not had the consideration to which they xvere entitled. It was really to put those questions in their proper place and to focus the right amount of attention upon them that women xvere being forced to enter public life. Asked regarding her opinion of the Child Welfare Act, Airs Taylor said that there were a few amendments that she xvould like to see. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union, of which she was Dominion president, would like to see the Child Welfare branch as a separate department of the education system. Women were most, anxious seeing that there were so many girls and small children cared for by the branch, that there should be a woman co-superintendent. •CHILDREN’S COURTS. Referring to children’s courts, Airs Taylor said that these were doing a x-ery fine service, and so long as the right men and women were appointed they should be a benefit and a help to the children who came before them. She could not see that there was any service *to be obtained from having policemen present in uniform, and she thought that there were too many people present at the courts. If the Magistrate and other members of the Court were not sufficiently impressive themselx-es, so that the children would feel and understand the position, she did not think that the presence of men in uniform xvould bring this effect about. Another subject which will be taken up by Airs Taylor is that> of women police". The W.CIT.U. and the National Council of Women moved in the matter. Both organisations xvere working hard in order to bring about the establishment of women in the police force. It was one of the things that would not hax-e been held back for so long had women had a voice in the Gox’ernment. She did not want anything but properly appointed xvomen police, who xvould be properly trained and able to take their place along with the men. “ I am anxious to have women police where one sees so many ' girls and young people loitering around,” said Mrs Taylor. “ There is a need for some one with the authority to speak to them, to direct them to go home, and, if necessary, to take them home. One has only to go to the streets of Christchurch to see young girls standing and talking at night with no aim or object and apparently looking for trouble.” EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES. Airs Taylor will stand for equal opportunities for women in all mat--1 ters of citizenship and in all professions and administrative positions. She said that where women were fully qualified to take an administrative position in a Gox'ernment Department or anywhere else, they should have equal opportunities to obtain that position in the same way as men had. At present there was one woman inspector of schools and there was room for more. Alany women to-day were going in for business, and if they were qualified to do the xvork, the feminist position was that sex should not form a disability. IMMIGRATION. It seemed a pity to be bringing so many people into the country unless the Government was going to face the position and do. something fundamental to create employment, added Airs Taylor. She thought that a vigorous land settlement policy would be one of the best things. - Industries that would absorb much labour should be supported by the Government. It was the duty of any Government, and of all parties in the General Assembly, to do something in regard to unemployment, and if the Government or any other party had any ideas they should be found out, and if they xvere any good at all. all should xvork together to rectify the position. If something xvere not done; New Zealand would nex*er be the county that it should be. PROHIBITION. Airs Taylor’s views on prohibition yre xvell known and she said that one of the main things that had to be xvatched xvas the loaded majority on the licensing issue. It was thirty-eight years since she had been connected with the starting of the prohibition v/ork in Sydenham, and she was still carrying on. Gradually to bring the xvhole of the legislature bodies to see the reason why xvomen xvere asking for the things that they xvanted summed up her position, said Mrs Taylor. There xvere difficulties in the administration of the Widows’ Pensions Act and the Family Allowances Act that needed remedying. She felt that the Family Alloxvance Act, as it was at present, was almost useless, and xvhat was wanted was an increase in the allowances and the exemptions removed until the Act was really a family endowment measure. That was one of the things that xvomen xvould work for in the future.