WOMEN POLICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 102, 3 May 1938, Page 8

WOMEN POLICE

GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TRAINING FOR DOMESTICS PROPOSED [Per Press Association. | WELLINGTON, May 2. The Minister in charge ol the Police Department, Hon. P. Fraser, informed a deputation from the women’s branch of the Wellington Labour Party to-day that waited on .the Pvt. Hon. M. J. Savage and himself, that the Government had decided to establish a system of women police for the Dominion. Mr Savage indicated that some action would be taken to meet present difficulties in respect of the training and the status of domestic servants, which was another matter raised by the deputation. Mr Fraser’s Reply. The Mon. P. Fraser, replying, said he appreciated lhe importance of the questions that had been raised. Since he had been Minister of Education and Health he had had one or two deputations on the matter of women police. He instanced a large amount of research work that had been done by the department in connection witn women police, and said that, they had had a look into the powers of police matrons. Though regulations provided for other duties the main work of matrons was to look after unfortunate women prisoners in custody, it seemed to hirn after giving' the matter careful consideration that the time has arrived when steps should be taken to recognise women police as part of the police, system in the Dominion, The Police Force.

Speaking about the Police Force generally, Mr Fraser saia it had developed into a great social service. In the country districts, apart from the prevention of delinquency and crime, there were a thousand and one olhct services that Lhe police must give ana are giving to the Dominion. In this connection he would like to express his appreciation of the work ol the police in Hawke’s Bay during Lhe recent flood. He also paid a tribute Lo aero clubs and the Air Force, which brought food to Lhe isolated people. Mr Fraser said that when appiicaLions were called lor women police women who apply will have to conk up to Lhe proper standard of health and education, and will have to gu through a good course of training. “I am forced by facts to the conclusion 1 long ago reached in my own mind that women police can be of a great help to the Police Force and Lu society in this country.” Mr Fraser said, "1 would like to say that like most other jobs the successful discharge of these responsibilities depends on the women chosen. The Government can create the jobs I and as a result of my discussion with ' Mr Savage some months ago, I am pleased to announce that women < police will be appointed as soon as I possible.” ( I Domestic Training. j Referring to domestics, Mr Sav- p age said they had to be trained. £ There was something in domestic training that should piace it ahead of j some other occupations. They also f had to make the conditions of labour right and similar to those in other oc- c cupations. f He hoped there would be legislation soon to deal with the whole ( situation. If further facilities wercneeded for training domestics they v would have to get them. He would v see that conditions in the home were r made as attractive as in other occ<i- £ pations, and assured the deputation f that its words did not fall on deaf ears.