B.B.C. TALK BY MRS GARRETT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29557, 5 July 1961, Page 12

B.B.C. TALK BY MRS GARRETT

Jury Service In New Zealand On her visit to Britain Mrs; Helen L. Garrett, of Christ-; church, has maintained her; interest in jury service. On June 22 she broadcast on the, 8.8. C. Women’s Hour on the subject of the service of women on juries in New Zealand. Mrs Garrett is well known in Christchurch for a lons fight she waged for practical recognition of women's right to serve on juries. On February 8, 1960. she was empanelled as a juror in the Supreme Court here, the first time in Christchurch a woman had been called and accepted for jury service. She was probably the fourth woman in New Zealand to serve on a jury bitt on February 10, 1960. she became the first woman in New Zealand to be elected forewoman of a jury. Writing to a friend. Mrs Garrett says it is assumed bv everyone in England, and especially by those connected with the courts, that it is both natural fnd useful to have a few women on juries "The proportion is usually about two or three women and the rest men. Women are not called for cases of a peculiarly unpleasant sexual nature.” she says. No Challenges "I have attended cases and seen juries empanelled at the Old Bailey. London, and was interested to note that there was no chai’eneing at all. The Under-Sheriff of th* County of London, with whom I have had a chat, told me the riKh't of challenge is very little used, except In specialised kinds of eases.” Mrs Garnett also intends to attend Court hearings and talk to Jury officers in America. "It was ironical that the 8.8. C. put my talk on to follow an interview with the president of the International Council of Women. MarieHelene Lefoucheaux. who lamented that the status of women was still rather backward in many countries. She made a reference to jury service so they thought I fi’ted in quite appropriately.” Mrs Garrett says. She very much enjoyed giving the talk and was most interested to see how thin"' were done at the BBC “Performers on Women’s Hour are very well paid and are given a splendid lunch after rehearsals and before the actual programme begins." Mrs Garrett says.