WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN N.Z. “LAGGING”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31724, 6 July 1968, Page 2

WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN N.Z. “LAGGING”

fW.Z. Preu Aisociation) WELLINGTON, July 5. Although New Zealand once led the world in the field of human rights and particularly women’s rights, in recent years it lagged behind many under-developed countries. This was the view one of the six women members of Parliament, Mrs R. M. Stevenson (Nat., Taupo), expressed forcefully in Parliament during the address-in-reply debate today. Mrs Stevenson, who represented New Zealand at a United Nations seminar on human rights in Helsinki last year, said New Zealand had

been invited to attend because it was the first country to give women the vote. “But we have done very little else towards the continued emancipation of women,” she said. “We have more women teachers than men teachers in New Zealand—but where are the women principals? “How often do you see women Justices of the Peace permitted to share the bench in the courts? Why are there no women on the floor of this House?” (Traditionally, women are excluded from the distinguished visitors’ seats in the Parliamentary chamber.) Education Urged She said there needed to be education of women directed at making them realise that they had a duty to their communities.

“We all get so much from our communities,” she said. “It is right that we give something in return.” Referring to committee meetings of local organisations, Mrs Stevenson said: “Men should accept women for what they can contribute as committee members and not just to make the tea when the meetings are over.” She believed in the great importance of the family unit but said this should not exclude women from taking an active part in community life.

“Some help and co-opera-tion from husbands and children could make it possible for more women to take part in community affairs.” She was strongly critical of alleged bias against women as often expressed in the daily newspapers.