Discrimination against single women

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33815, 11 April 1975, Page 5

Discrimination against single women

Members of the l Christchurch Catholic Women’s League have been urged to investi-; gate discrimination against single women trying to raise mortgages. either by State Advances or in the private sector. •; The recommendation came [from the league’s International Women’s Year ; “Women’s Day,” last month, and was discussed at the (opening of the C.W.I . Diocesan conference on Wednesday evening. Several delegates had heard of instances of discrimination. One case involved a woman who had tried to raise a mortgage and was told she could not get one unless she was over 35. Another woman trying to get a house for herself and her mother could get a loan , only on her mother’s pension. It was agreed that the matter be taken back to

branches and discussed thoroughly with a view to a remit being brought forward. A recommendation that supervised creches at suburban level be provided by the State was not well received by the majority of the delegates but it was decided that this matter, also, should be researched further. The delegates did agree that women should be prepared to learn more about sharing the priestly ministry of the Church. A recommendation stated that there were possibilities of increased sharing in the" ministry but at present women tended to be at the bottom of the hierarchy. It was also recommended that the C.W.1.. should concern itself with the establishment of the sugar-beet industry in Mid-Canterbury. The delegates were divded on this issue and it was decided further discussion was warranted. In her address to the conference, the national president, Mrs Marion Owen, of Wellington, said the women should strive to educate themselves and other adults iin their faith. The league’s motto is “Faith and Service” and Mrs Owen believes that the emphasis should now be on faith because it was important for the women to editcate themselves before rendering services to others.