Page 23 - Keeping the Peace
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Keeping the Peace – A History of Honorary Justices in Victoria	17
As one who takes a keen interest in having the laws amended where necessary so that women shall obtain full justice, I am determined that nothing will prevent me from doing my duty’.30
In 1938, the Women Justices Association was formed in Melbourne with the aim of uniting women justices, women’s special magistrates and women Commissioners for the Taking of Affidavits. The group existed in this form until 1971 when it became the Australian branch of the International Association of Youth Magistrates.
A letter signed by ‘a male JP’ entitled ‘Are women magistrates desirable?’ appeared in ‘The Justice of the Peace’ on 11 February 1935:
“It may be argued that, when a woman assumes the responsibilities attached to the position of a JP and sits on the bench, she had perforce to face up to any and every problem – distasteful or otherwise – that confronts her. But it is desirable? ..It is – with all due deference to woman’s rights, her natural intuition, brain power and all her womanly virtues – essentially a man’s job. There is one sphere that in my opinion can most effectively be served by women and that is in the Children’s Court, where their kindly, humane and sympathetic talents can be exercised to guide the erring boy or girl. But the Petty Sessions Court benches – in my opinion – No!”31
30 Herald, 17 September 1930 31	‘The Justice of the Peace’, 11 February 1935.


































































































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