WOMEN CANDIDATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 111, 14 May 1941, Page 6

WOMEN CANDIDATES

REASONS FOR STANDING SERVICE TO COMMUNITY SHARE OF RESPONSIBILITY Women candidates who have been nominated for seats on municipal and local bodies at the elections in Wanganui on May 17 addressed a public meeting in the Victoria Hal! last night. Each speaker was given 15 minutes in which to state her views and the keen interest taken by a large audience was demonstrated by frequent applause. The Mayor of Wanganui. Hon. W. J. Rogers. M.L.C.. presided for a portion of the meeting, after which the chair was taken by Mrs. J. C. Wickham. who is at the head of the cammittee organising the campaign for women candidates. Mrs. Wickham commented that it was very encouraging to see so many women coming out this year and taking such an active interest |i cigaffairs.

Mr. Rogers, opening the meeting, said he was very pleased to be present, and added that it was the undisputed right of every citizen, who was eligible, to offer himself, or herself, for election to municipal and local bodies. Women candidates who addressed the meeting were:— City Council: Mrs. M. A. Archibald (Independent), Miss E. N. Sampson (Independent), Mrs. K. Gould (Labour) Hospital Board: Mrs. A. Goodey (Independent). Mrs. K. Gould (Labour), Mrs. E. M. Scott (Labour), Mrs. A. K. Maclean (Citizens’ Committee). Mrs. M. A. McFarland, who is a candidate for the Power Board, was unable to be present, but an address written by her was read by Mrs. Beaumont Bates. The first speaker. Mrs. E. M. Scott, said she had been a member of the Wanganui Hospital Board for some years, and had always endeavoured to give of her very best and act with common sense. The Hospital Board was a most important body because the health of the people should be the main consideration of any city or town. “I am proud to be on this board, and if returned on May 17 will continue to give of my very best. Mrs. Scott added. She was very pleased to be associated with Mr. Rogers on the board, and declared that he was a most valued member.

Jubilee Home Referring to the Jubilee Home. Aramoho, Mrs. Scott said it was essential that the elderly people should have a comfortable home. Mr. Rogers bad battled along for many years in an endeavour 1o have improvements brought about. Later on he had been Assisted by herself, Mrs. K. Gould, and, for a time, by the late Mr. H. Lawrence. People would be pleased to know, however, that the board had placed a sum of irciiey on the estimates for brightening up the home. Mrs. Scott j-pfeired. also, to the present accommodation for out-pa-tients at the Wanganui Hospital and said that next to the Jubilee Home, * a new out-patient block was most essential. Women candidates had not corn* forward in a spirit of criticism, bu) had offered their services in an endeavour tu be ol assistance in the adirmistratioh of local body affairs in Wanganui, said Mrs. A. K. Maclean. Women had no wish to usurp men, and she thought that a representation of fifty-fifty would be desirable. Women had had a vote for many years, but had not made much use of it, and a great deal of apathy had been shown. The time had come, however, when women should take a greater interest in local body affairs. Factor For Peace It was only right to suppose that women who had reared sons who were now serving their country with such distinction overseas, and maintaining all the traditions of the old Anzacs. were fully capable of assisting with the administration of municipal and local body affairs, said Mrs. Maclean. She believed that if women in all countries of the world took a greater part in local and national administration it would be a strong factor for peace. It would be found that if in some countries women worked for peace, other nations would follow this example. Referring to the Hospital Board, Mrs. Maclean said that in mothers and babies lay the whole foundation of a nation’s future. They must be watched over and were worthy of every' care and consideration. She added that the welfare of the sick and suffering was very well attended to in Wanganui. It was essential, especially in the interests of the soldiers who would return to the city, that the public debt should not be increased. “I feel that we should also be prepared, and go on being prepared. for any emergency that might come.” Mrs. Maclean added.

The policy of the Hospital Board was to co-operate with the Minister of Health to the fullest, said Mrs. K. Gould, a sitting member c» r the board. She added that she had always advocated the best of conditions for the nursing staff, and the best possible attention for the sick. She believed In humanitarian measures, and had always done her utmost in this way. Attentive Staff Mrs. Gould added that she agreed with Mrs. Scott that improvements should be carried out at the Jubilee Home. The staff was very attentive to the needs of the inmates, and had a difficult task in keeping the old building clean and tidy. In view of the circumstances, it was surprising to see how spotless the home was kept. Mrs. Gould quoted the Labour Party’s policy and said she was wholeheartedly behind it. She would endeavour at all times to give the best possible service. *lt is about time women did take part in local body affairs—a woman's viewpoint is really necessary in a community,” said Mrs. M. A. Archibald, who added that it took a woman and a man to successfully bring up a family, the saT“ princip'“ applying to local affairs. Women must take a share of i-‘v'c responsibility, housing, the care aid education of children, and improve 1 roads and footpaths being a few ot the questions they help to solve. Beeaus • i>l 'he Hospital Board strik ing a higher rate levy > year. ies money would be available for roau:; at.d footpaths. It was to Wanganui’s

disadvantage ti.c.l a large proport.uh of the rates collected 'xeai tovvajd paying interests instead of being used for services in the city. This, however, was a fault of the monetary system. New Zealand's local body debts amounted to £70,000,000, and 14s 3d ot every £1 collected in rates was spent on interest. Wanganui's public debt was also very high, and in addition to roads and footpaths, the city needed new Civic Chambers and a Town Hall. “Women Necessary.” Mrs. A. Goodey said she had been in Wanganui for nearly 30 years, and had watched the town grow into a city. Referring to her work in the past on various school committees, Mrs. Goodey said this had given her a great deal of experience which would be useful on the Hospital Board. She had found that women were very necessary on boards and committees. Women had differed with men in some ways, but between them had been accomplished some very good work. AL possible should be done for the nursing staff at the hospital, and she agreed with previous speakers who had said that better conditions should be provided for elderly men and women, who, through no fault of their own, required home comforts. Mrs. Goodey added that she stood as an independent candidate because she believed that party politics in local bodies had a tendency to interfere with many a good measure brought forward.

Miss E. N. Sampson said she was an independent candidate because she did not believe in party politics being introduced into local affairs. She trusted that on polling day, Wanganui citizens would select the best and most suitable men and women, irrespective of party. A number of young men were standing and as they had a big interest in Wanganui's future were deserving ot support. Wanganui’s Charms. Jloie than 32 years had elapsed since sue first came to Wanganui, Miss Sampson added, and she had a great admiration for what had been done in the city. She did not criticise the people’ who had administered the city's affairs in tne past. They had done the very best possible, in spite oi difficulty. Wanganui had manycharms Mid attractions, and reminded her of Athens. She hoped that when the war was over improved roads and footpaths, and new pul.Lc buildings, would further enhance the city.

Women were entering local body affairs because they felt that the woman's point of view must be recognised. They were capable of doing great work in the interests of the

whole community. She knew nothing of the City Council, for which she was standing, Miss Sampson added, but she had to learn, and she believed that the only way to learn was by actually seeing for herself. Mrs. Beaumont Bates apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mrs. M. A. McFarland, and read an address in which Mrs McFarland had stated her reasons for accepting nomination for the Wanganui-Rangitikei ElectricPower Board.

Power Board Affairs. Electricity was a necessity in the home, and its cost was an important item, Mrs. McFarland stated. She believed that it was in the interests of women that a woman should be represented on the board and be in the position to speak for them. Mrs. McFarland stated also that she considered that there were too manyoverhead power lines in Wanganui. They constituted a danger, and numerous accidents, which possibly could have been avoided, had occurred in New Zealand. She believed that power lines should be carried underground. Mrs. McFarland added that she was actuated by a desire to serve the community. particularly by stressing the view of the woman consumer. She was independent of any party and was in the position to serve the public freely. F. P. Taiboys, an independent candidate for the City Council, also addressed the meeting.