LABOUR MINISTER

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1929, Page 6

LABOUR MINISTER

statements replied to. .United Presß Association.—By Electric TelegraphCopyrigb 1.1 LONDON, Nov. 26. Rt. Hon J. H. Thomas (Minister of Unemployment) has been vigorously attacked by some strong-minded, strong-willed women, as the outcome of his statement, cabled yesterday, that it is against the nation’s interests for women to work for what is called “pin money,” thereby depriving others of legitimate employment. Lady Rhondda, who is something of a financial genius, and who is a Director of thirty Companies, and in pre-war d,ays was a militant suffragist, comments as follows: “Mr Thomas shows a surprising lack ef the first principles of economics. The more workers there are, the more prosperous is the nation. The majority of women work because they must. Everybody, rich or poor, have alternatives. They must either work, or must allow themselves to be kept. Respectable men and women prefer work.” Women secretaries and presidents of the Women’s Freedom League, also women clerks, and associations of women teachers confront Mr Thomas with a solid block, and they ask indignantly why women should he prevented from working, and also why nothing is said of men with private incomes who continue working.