Citizenship laws

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32700, 1 September 1971, Page 6

Citizenship laws

(N.Z. Pre.. AiiocUMon) WELLINGTON, Aug. 31. The laws regarding transmission of citizenship from a New Zealand parent married to a foreigner were not intended to be, nor were they, discriminatory against women, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) said recently. Mrs E. E. McMillan (Dunedin North) asked him in Parliament if he would take steps to amend the law in view of the fact that a New Zealand woman who was married to a foreigner, and whose children were born outside New Zealand could in no way transmit New Zealand citizenship to her children, whereas an unmarried New Zealand woman or New Zealand man could. Mr Seath replied that part Of Mrs McMillan’s question was incorrect.

The children of a New Zealand mother married to a foreigner did not automatically qualify for New Zealand citizenship, he said. But it was not correct that citizenship could “in no way” be transmitted to them.

Citizenship could be transmitted on the application of the mother, the child, or a -uardian, he said. Mrs McMillan asked in a upplementary question if it vas not discriminatory gainst the woman when it vas necessary for i her to lake application, but was ot for a man.

Mr Seath said that a child ossessing more than one 'tizenship obligation could e faced with problems ftarding military service, assport rights, and voting ights. -•