Women in Parliament.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1922, Page 3

Women in Parliament.

MOVEMENT IN VICTORIA

SYDNEY, dune 21

A movement towards the granting of opportunities for women to become members of Parliament is gaining ground in Victoria, and in this connexion a deputation from the National Council of Women recently placed before a. representative of the Cabinet, reasoas why women should be madeeligible to slit in the Victorian Parliament. It was claimed by the delegates-that it was time that women were fully recognised. The war had proved their capacity, and there had been nothing but praise for their work. Two and a quarter per cent, more women had voted at the last election than previously. Instances were given of a number ot questions on which women’s advice in Parliament would be helpful. Baby health centres, for instance, were now riditl.v recognised as tin- concern of the State, and also the prevention of destitution, public health, housing, public morals, protection of adolescents and general and domestic education, promoting the efficiency of women in their homes and industries. It was claimed that women were always lining called upon to untie tangles which men were powerless to prevent because they represented oneview only.' The brain of man had proved inadequate, and it required women to cater for the interests of women and children. Women had more to do in the way of social service than men. No man could possibly get a woman’s viewpoint, but a woman could sometimes get a man’s viewpoint. The Minister receiving the deputation'was ungallant enough to say that ho did not think that women’s qualifications were equal to those of men. However, he was not opposed to the suggestion, and would see what could he done.