JUSTICES ASK FOR WOMEN POLICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 311, 23 March 1928, Page 1

JUSTICES ASK FOR WOMEN POLICE

PROTECTION OF GIRLS The principle of women po-ice with powers equal to those possessed by constables has been affirmed by the Justices of the Peace Conference, which sat in Auckland yesterday, and which passed a resolution urging upon the authorities the efficacy of their claims. • •nPO deal with questions in the in- -*■ terests of women and children,” was the general nature of the suggested duties of women police, members of the conference expressing themselves emphatically upon tlic necessity for having women officers. A long report, which showed the value of police women in various .'.arts of the world, was read by Mr. J. Brunt, of Christchurch, who said the force of policewomen in London was to be strengthened because of the good work that had been accomplished. Mr. D. McFarlane, of Wanganui, suggested there was only one city in New Zealand where the number of people warranted the appointment of women police patrols as had been suggested —that was Auckland. Mr. A. Rosser, Auckland: Do you say this is the only place that requires them? Mr. McFarlane: No; but the only place that is big enough to warrant them. There are very few cities in this country _ where women persistently loiter about the streets. Prevention is better than cure, however, and I would be glad to see anything done to keep our women and girls at the same high standard that is maintained to-day. Mr. F. G. Gray revealed that picture theatre proprietors had complained to him of the happenings in theatres, and had sought a remedy for what was recognised to be a difficult thing to stamp out. Air. H. H. Smith, of Christchurch, said a great many women and girls were subjected to molestation while on their way home in the evenings In cases of this sort they were diffident about relating the details to constables, but they would make a frank statement to a woman. That being so. Air. Smith reasoned that the ends of justice were not being fairly met while there was an inadequate force of women police. A suggestion by Air. Salek that the conference merely associate itself with other organisations which were striving for women police, so that united action could be taken, was defeated.