WOMEN CITY INSPECTORS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 212, 2 June 1919, Page 2

WOMEN CITY INSPECTORS

A IiIiQUEST TO- TilK -MAYOK,

A large and very, representative deputation lroin the Women's National .Liuserve waited on His Worship tliu Mayor (Mr. J. I'. Luke) on tfatuniay jiioi-juuj? to urge the appointment in Wellington by the City Council of women inspectors, it will'be remembered that there were sonic women engaged in epidemic work lieic last November .who expressed themselves strongly as to Ihe conditions in wli'icli tliey found many homes of (he sullerers,. and it waj> then suggested that women might be more fitted lor the work of inspecting the interiors Of houses than men,-as ■ their whole, .training, often concerned I lie home, and how. uest to keep it, irrespective of the sphere, of life. Tnat' being so, it was argued that such work was well within, the scope of women. 1 r The chief speaker. wa£ Miss Coad, who made, out a 'strong cuso for the woman inspector. She held the view that a woman was better qualified for the work of inspecting interiors of houses, whioii the coi'iKMition inspectors did not do at all, not only from the standpoint of tho individual householder, but in llio- best interests of tho community as a whole. With her faculties ".tho woman would have a better cliancq of gaining a friendly entrance to a house (though tho new Act gave corporation inspectors lull power to make such inspections), uml Ijy tho exercise, of tact, and with the sound advice her experience, would ■e/.iabio her to give, .she would bo of real and permanent value to tho community. Mrs. Moorehouse, Nurse Uveritt, and Miss .England also spoke ill support, of Miss Coad's arguments, urging tnat the council should lost 110 timo in appointing women inspectors. The Mayor,- who suid he was guile sympathetic, mentioned that'the. matter had boon brought before the council, and that, since tho epidemic two extra 111011 inspectors had been appointed. The committee concerned had considered tho up. poinfment of women for the work, but had not favoured their appointment, in their report to tho council. He promised to bring the matter befpre tho council again, and, personally, hoped that the council would appoint at least one woman inspector.