To Study Parliament Broadcasts

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31114, 18 July 1966, Page 12

To Study Parliament Broadcasts

(New Zealand Pre** Auociation) AUCKLAND, July 17. Canada’s only woman Cabinet minister, the Secretary of State, Miss J. V. LaMarsh, arrived at Auckland Airport tonight on her first official visit to New Zealand.

She is here to promote Canada’s centennial celebrations, which will be held next year, and to study the New Zealand method of broadcasting Parliament. “We would very much like to form our own system of broadcasting Parliament, but there have been a number of difficulties in the way,” she said. “I shall be very inter-

ested to see how you go about it in New Zealand.” Miss Lamarsh, who will also visit Australia and Europe, was met by the Postmaster General (Mr Scott), the High Commissioner for Canada (Mr K. J. Burbridge), the reception officer for the Internal Affaire Department (Mr D. A. Johnston) and the Mayor of Mangere (Mr H. D. Lambie). Appointed Secretary of State in December last year, she is responsible for 14 agencies, including broadcasting, the National Film Board, the National Gallery and Library of Canada and the Federal Centennial Commission.

She entered Parliament in 1960 through a by-election as member for Niagara Falls, and as Minister of National Health and Welfare, played a major role in initiating Canada’s pension plan. More recently, she has helped to form proposals for a national medical care scheme and the development of a new Canada assistance plan to provide financial aid to needy citizens. She has twice been voted Canadian woman of the year, and was chosen last year as

Canadian woman of the year in public affairs. Her first appointment will be an address tomorrow to the Rotary Club of Auckland, and the rest of her six-day visit will be spent mainly at Wairakei, Wellington and Christchurch. At Wellington, she will be guest of honour at a Parliamentary luncheon, and will speak to the combined Commonwealth societies. She is accompanied by her private secretary, Miss Margaret Gardner, and department representative, Mr Neil Fraser.