WOMEN JUSTICES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19434, 21 October 1925, Page 12

WOMEN JUSTICES

DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE. A MATTER FOR PARLIAMENT. 1 he proposal to make women eligible for the position of Justices of the Peace has been afoot for many years, and attempts have been made to make the proposal practicable by legislation. Ihe Hon. T. M. Wilford has on several occasions* brought a measure before the House of Representatives where its support increased from session to session. On the last occasion the Lower House approved the bill, but it was thrown out by the Legislative Council. The subject camo before the conference of justices at Christchurch last week, but a motion: “That the conference supports the appointment of women justices on a basis, say, of two for country constituencies and three for city constituencies,” was defeated because it conflicted with the rules of the association.

Mr J. R. Brunt (Christchurch), said that in moving the remit he wished to make a condition that where evidence was being heard that might bring a blush to the face of the ladies the case should not be adjudicated on by women. Women had been appointed with success in other parts of the Empire. There were many duties which women could deal with as well as, or better than, men, this being especially so in the cases of women and children. Mr H. Trimble (Taranaki) said that he thought that the motion should be struck out. The whole question of the appointment of justices rested with the Minister of Justice. He moved that they merely affirm the principle of appointing women. The chairman (Mr H. H. Smith) explained that under the Child Welfare Act a suitable woman could be appointed to sit on the Bench with a magistrate, although she would not have any jurisdiction. “I might be considered to be conservative or old-fashioned, as I do not believe in it,” said Mr W. H. Frith (Oamaru). “My association, however, has passed a resolution approving of the remit, and I will have to vote against my convictions. I have as high an opinion as any man in New Zealand of our women, and I know perfectly well that my stand will not be a popular one.” He added that he had a firm conviction that if a man could not fulfil the duties, then a woman could not do it. He would have to vote for the adoption of the remit, but. he hoped that the association would throw it out. Mr I. Salek (Wellington) said the question was purely a political question, and commented that the Government was afraid to face it. It was eventually decided that the resolution conflicted with the rules of the association and the motion was lost.