WOMEN’S VIEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20260, 21 March 1934, Page 5

WOMEN’S VIEWS.

W.C.T.U. Representations to Prime Minister. SOCIAL QUESTIONS. Per press Association. WELLINGTON, March 20. The views of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union on the punishment of persons guilty of sexual offences, women police and film censorship were placed before the Prime Minister and | the Minister of Justice to-day. Mrs T. E. Taylor, president of the union, said that in cases of persons guilty of sexual offences sentences should be indeterminate, as a safeguard of public health and women and children. Mrs Peryman said that women had been appointed to the police force in other parts of the world, but New Zealand apparently was lagging behind. The principal objective was that women police would be able to prevent crimes. The Government seemed to be paying more attention to the welfare of farm stock than to that of future generations. Miss C. E. Kirk suggested that a board of censors should be appointed to improve the quality of films being shown, the board-to include at least one woman, and certainly not include anyone financially interested in the film industry. Mr Forbes, in reply, pointed out that the penalties for sexual offences were very severe, but at the same time it would be realised that offenders should be prevented as far as possible from injuring the community. Regarding women police he said the Government at present was obtaining reports from other parts of the world, and these would be placed before Cabinet. Mr Forbes said the W.C.T.U. always made reasonable requests of the Government and they were entitled to serious consideration.