Women’s Gain From Residential Hall

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30855, 14 September 1965, Page 2

Women’s Gain From Residential Hall

The need to provide accommodation for women students at Ham is one of the reasons for the decision of the Presbytery of Christchurch and the Methodist Synod of North Canterbury to build a mixed hall of residence, Rutherford Hall, according to Mrs C. H. Perkins, a member of the project’s joint planning committee.

Mrs Perkins believes a mixed hail will benefit both sexes and may ultimately encourage more women to enter public life. “One of the reasons why so few women go into public life is that they do not get the stimulation to be found in groups, and men lack the experience of working with women,” she said. In a mixed hall men would work with women on committees and in common rooms. In turn, they would accept women in administration and other spheres outside the home later. Mrs Perkins said women would gain more than men by living in a residential hall.

Accommodation for girls was much more important than was often realised.

*T feel that today right throughout the world there is a need tor every educated person to take a share in the development of his and her country,” she said. “New Zealand needs women graduates just as much as men graduates. If we have more places in hails for women we can encourage more girls to come to university and to complete their courses and we shall have done something worth while. “The churches can not do

this alone. I hope the public will get behind the churches and support the appeal which opened last week to build the three new halls at Ham,” said Mrs Perkins. It was hoped that Rutherford Hall, which would accommodate 75 women and 75 men, would be ready within three years. Although the cost was expected to be £250,000 the students would not live in the lap of luxury, said Mrs Perkins.

To Remarry.—The singer, Shirley Bassey, has said she will marry her former husband, a film producer, Kenneth Hume. They were divorced in 1961.—London, September 13.