A DANGER TO WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9789, 12 October 1917, Page 9

A DANGER TO WOMEN

(To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”)

Sir, —It is to bo regretted that, at the women’s protest meeting lasi night, more stress should not have been laid by the speakers oh tho danger which will menace respectable gmls lor young married women should tlie ,’of tho speakers appeared to be more) anxious to show how simply a system of voluntary clinics and of education ■could-be instituted for the cure and of venereal disease than to din.-'into their hearers’ minds the peril '■Which lurks in this bill. It would be better to get the obnoxious bill wlth.draivn. first and then discuss alternative plans. They could have aroused ■-a perfect' storm of indignation had ■they emphasised more strongly the opportunities which the hill affords to black-mailers and slanderers. It w-ould. not be safe for our daughters to have a room- in town as an office for typewriting or dressmaking, or for any occupation which necessitated their being alone, if the hill became Taw. The ’character of a respectable girl clerk, factory worker, dressmaker, or student could be besmirched by any foul-nnnd-ed or vindictive man or woman who chose to. lay an information secretly against, her, to the effect that they believed: she was of immoral habit. And, moreover, if appearances were against the girl, she must either consent to bo medically examincct to prove that she was innocent, or pay a fine of or go to prison for six months. Gan any menace more appalling than this be levelled at our young womanhood r I ani sure there is not a mother of daughters; no, nor a father either, who would stand hy quietly and allow this outrageous measure to become the law of the land if the facte could reach them. Rather would they protest and agitate until the hill was withdrawn. —I am, etc., A MOTHER.