Mixed toilets for Remuera

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33539, 21 May 1974, Page 6

Mixed toilets for Remuera

(N.Z. ■ Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 20. When Ms Janet Begg had her suggestion of a mixed toilet at Remuera adopted by the Remuera Community Committee, all her friends thought it was a great joke. But she felt she had struck a blow for Women’s Liberation, or, as she would prefer to call it, “People’s Liberation.”

There are other mixed toilets in aircraft, trains and even in hospitals but they are all under somewhat controlled situations. “This one will be in the heart of suburbia, right in the middle of staunch old Remuera.” she said.

The subject was opened when Ms Begg offered to do a survey of public conveniences in the area which had been asked for by the community committee. For two hours one Friday night

she walked around the area, inquiring at service stations, public buildings and shops. What she found was not discrimination against women, but lack of concern for them. “There was a women’s toilet in the local Plunket rooms but it was shut during late shopping nights, in the evenings and at weekends.” she said.

So the committee, with tongue in cheek, recommended that. the council make the men’s toilet in Victoria Avenue, which was open 24 hours a day, available to women as well.

The toilets will be open to men and women for a trial period of six months. “This is the only way to remedy what I consider is a Victorian situation,” Ms Begg said. “I would like to see it done throughout the city.”