‘Bad credit risks’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33964, 3 October 1975, Page 5

‘Bad credit risks’

t.V.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, Oct. 2. Discrimination in favour of women is affecting the payment of debts, according to two Hamilton lawyers. Under present legislation a debtor can be ordered by the Court to pay off bills by weekly instalments. But the lawyers claim magistrates are loathe to order married women — even if they are working — to pay their debts. A lawyer, Mr F. L. Curtin, described the situation as a double standard. “If women can open an account like a man, they should pay their bills like a man.”

Yesterday a client of Mr Curtin’s applied to the Courts for a payment order to be taken out against a woman debtor. But the Magistrate, Mr T. B. Mooney, said he was going to be old-fashioned and refuse the order. The woman, separated with five children, worked fulltime. Another lawyer, Mrs Sylvia Cartwright, agreed that the present practice by Magistrate's was not effective. I “If you’re female, married, and have a thick skin, then .'bills can be ignored. At i present the Courts won’t touch you.” Men were forced to pay their bills and so found it easier to obtain credit, she said.

"Because of the practice of not serving many .judgment orders businessmen are wary of giving women credit. They are aware women can be bad credit risks.” If more women were served with payment orders, more shopkeepers would allow credit. ENGAGEMENT (Engagement notices must be signed by both parties.) Cusick—Clarke: Jack and Hilda Clark, of Kairaki Beach, and Jock and Anne Cusick, of Christchurch, are pleased to announce the engagement of Pamela and Dave.