'A step nearer equality'

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33779, 27 February 1975, Page 3

'A step nearer equality'

1 • .\ Z Prrss AttOCfOfto*O WELLINGTON. Feb. 26. The Crimes Amendment Bill contains serious anomalies but takes an important step towards equality and social justice by making sanctions against male homosexual behaviour less repulsive, according to the Univer- • sity Students' Association. . The students told the Select Committee considering ithe proposed bill that it pre I served serious anomalies in 'relation to homosexuality Sand to sexual offending in general. They considered the most 'obvious anomaly was probably- the differing ages of' | consent for male and female (homosexual relations. The [bill proposes the age of consent for male homosexual I relations be 21 years while the present law recognises ian age of consent of 16 ■ years for female homosexual relations. DOUBLE TERM In addition a male who commits an indecent act! with a boy under the age of consent is liable for double the imprisonment term of a male who has intercourse with a girl under the age of consent. “Nonetheless, since we are, strongly in favour of a change in the law relating to| homosexual acts between l consenting males, we com-! mend the generally progres-i sive spirit of the bill and give it our qualified support,” the students said. They said they supported legal equality between i people regardless of their sexual preferences andl favoured the removal of all! sexually discriminatory I legislation. There should be a common code governing sexual j behaviour for male and l female, in which homosexual and heterosexual behaviour; were treated consistently, | they submitted. EQUALITY SOUGHT In written submissions, < the Sisters for Homophile Equality, of Christchurch, 1 also opposed discrimination between male and female ini sexual acts. The organisation said that the penalties for committing sexual acts on children should not vary with the sex of the child or when the child and offender are of the same sex. The Student Teachers' Association, in a brief written submission, urged the repeal of alt laws discriminating against homosexual behaviour. The Salvation Army- submitted the law required amendment in a more compassionate way without I making homosexual acts; legal. It said it was firmly op-, posed on moral grounds to; homosexuality but suggested more consideration be given to rehabilitating the' offender.

Renewal.— The Government will lend the Welling-! ton City Council $2,090,000 for urban renewal in Arc Street. The two-year scheme; will house 211 people in 79 flats, including an eightstorey tower block. More! than slom has been approved lor urban renewal in Wellington this financial year. — (P.A.)