WOMEN ON JURIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 18987, 3 July 1933, Page 8

WOMEN ON JURIES.

REQUEST TO MINISTER. AUCKLAND, Alonday. When a deputation from the New Zealand National Council of Women waited on the Alinister of Justice on Saturday, Aliss B. Carnachan, in support of the contention that women should sit on juries, said that the right had been conceded to women in the majority of modern countries. Mrs. E. AlcNair, Dominion treasurer, asked that a woman officer should be present at all inquests on females. She said the request arose out of an incident in the Elsie Walker case, when only men had been present when the body was viewed. Air. Cobbe agreed to consult the Under-Secretary of Justice on the matter. Tho Marriage Law. “ New Zealand is lagging behind other countries with respect to the marriage age," said Airs. E. AlcNair, when urging the desirability of raising Hie ago at which people can marry to 16 years. At present the age is 12 for girls and 14 for hoys. “Even India, that much criticised country, is far ahead of New Zealand in (lie matter of the marriage age,” said Airs. AlcNair. “To marry young people of such tender ages is to condemn them to a long life of misery." "1 agree with you," replied I lie Minister, "but it is only fair that I should point out that there are reasons why I he law should not be altered. ’the trouble is the pressure brought to bear by parents in certain cases. However, 1 am in favour of the alteration.' 1