WOMEN IN POLITICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 482, 11 October 1928, Page 7

WOMEN IN POLITICS

NATIONAL HOUSEKEEPING MRS. MAGUIRE’S ADDRESS There was a fair attendance at St. Andrew’s Hall last evening when Mrs. | C. E. Maguire, the official Reform candidate for Auckland East, opened her campaign. Although subjected to numerous interjections, the candidate was accorded a fair hearing. A vote of confidence was declared on the voices. , Introducing the candidate. Dr. Hardio Neil referred to the excellent record of public service held by Mrs. Maguire. As a member of the City Council and as president of the Civic League and Myers Kindergarten, she had done excellent work, interesting herself largely in the welfare of women and children. He considered Mrs. Maguire was well worthy of the honour of representing them and of being the first Lady Astor of New 1 Zealand. ‘I little realised a few months ago that I would be called upon to contest this seat, but now that I am in it 1 mean to do my best to win the seat, and. if elected, do my best for the electorate, and the country in general,” said Mrs. Maguire. That there was a need for women in politics she was absolutely convinced. “Where they are wanted is in their homes looking after their husbands,’.’ interjected an elderly woman in the front row*. “Perhaps so.” retorted the candidate, “but I have such a good husband that he doesn’t need looking after.” (Laughter.) She was aware that the idea of women standing for Parliament was not always acceptable, but personally she considered that women were just as well equipped as men to give political service to their, country. (Applause.) NATIONAL HOUSEKEEPING She commented upon the fact that women in New Zealand had had the vote for 35 years, but had not yet returned a 'woman to Parliament. The men must surely think they were very unappreciative. The trouble, said the candidate, is that men have so unselfishly shouldered our burdens and relieved us of that responsibility, but the time has arrived when we must take our share and play our proper part in the management of the country as in the management of our homes. Men were beginning to realise that, as it took men and women to bring up a family, it also required men and women to bring up that larger family—the country. There was practically no problem 'hat did not vitally affect womenfolk, and in many of the social problems that continually confronted legislators woman’s experience and woman’s wisdom would prove of great assistance. The duties of Parliament could be likened almost to housekeeping. The housekeeper had to set aside money for the butcher and the baker, and the legislators money for national development, and social welfare, etc. Like the housekeeper, they alsq had to make wise provision for the future. Parliamentary work, in fact, was national housekeeping. Referring to the record of the Reform Party since it had been in power, Mrs. Maguire said that its administration was reflected in the sound position the country was in at the present day. A voice: What about the* national debt?

Mrs. Maguire: Yes, it .amounts to £251,000,000, but 75 per cent. of. that is productive. Also, since the war we have repaid £9,000,000 of the war debt. Are you not proud of your little country? T SOCIAL SERVICE In social service work New Zealand led the way. There was no country in the world that could show better service. A Voice: “What about Canada?”— “or Moscow?” added another. Referring to unemployment, the candidate said that the position in Auckland had undoubtedly been aggravated by the number of unemployed who had drifted in from other parts, and it was largely as a result of that that the charitable aid rate had to be increased. Personally she was of opinion that charitable aid should take the form of national relief, and the burden would then be more fairly boime by the community. In regard to the unemployment question, she considered the Government had done its best. There were many causes of unemployment, said Mrs. Maguire. Laboursaving devices on the farm and in the factory were big contributing factors. A Voice: And immigration. Mrs. Maguire: Immigration had nothing to do with it. The unemployed, she considered, shouid be divided into two classes—the unemployed and the unemployable. She had conversed with men on Rotoroa Island, who had told her that they would return there again. Those men, she thought, should be placed on farm colonies and looked after and taught useful trades and occupations, so that they could again take their place in the w r orld as decent citizens. Then again there were people who said they could do anything-—which generally meant nothing, said the candidate. “If I were out of work I think I could soon find it.” Voices: “You try it on.” “From this electorate I want a solid Reform vote. Last election there were over a thousand women who did not vote. With those votes and a solid Reform vote I should have no difficulty,” said Mrs. 5 Maguire. The recent Pan-Pacific Conference had reflected the great and growing influence of women in social and political life. There they found that women the world over were all working with the same identical objects in view, thinking on broad lines and out whole-heartedly for humanity. QUESTIONS ANSWERED Replying to questions Mrs. Maguire said she was not in favour of a State bank, the present banking facilities in her opinion being quite good enough. In regard to the Bible in Schools question, she thought that the Lord's Prayer should be said every day in all schools, but did not approve of the Bible being expounded. She would not support the repeal of military training, and on the question of prohibition she favoured a twoissue ballot paper and a bare majority. It was a matter for the people and more than that she would not say. A motion of thanks, and cofidence in the candidate, was moved by Mr. S. Coldicutt. A hostilq amendment of thanks, but expressing no confidence in her as a candidate for the electorate, was also moved, but was not accepted by the chairman, who said it was a direct negative. Tho motion was declared carried on the voices.