Radio reviews women’s suffrage

Press, 18 September 1976, Page 9

Radio reviews women’s suffrage

On September 19, 1893, the New Zealand woman was given the vote, against, it would seem, the better wishes of a large percentage of the male population.

The latter, apart from despairing as to “who would rock the craddle while the . little woman was out dealing in more worldly enterprise,” had fairly definite views of a

woman’s intellectual and social standing. Indeed, without the dignity of suffrage, women were deemed, by inference, to have intelligence equal only to that of children and social status on a par with lunatics and criminals. So much for the situation then. Now, after 83 years, how far have these women evolved from the little wife / mother / cook / homemaker tradition whose function at social gatherings was to provide a plate of homemade food while the men supplied the booze, and presumably the conversation?

“Ladies a Plate Please” is’a two-hour radio magazine programme to mark Suffrage Day. Tomorow’s Concert Programme will take a look at the historical background and development of the suffrage movement, at women’s- battles then and now.

A well-known “Viewpoint” personality, Jessica Weddell, will present the nrogramme and introduce listeners to some of the personalities in an attempt to gauge the hopes, attitudes and achievements of the contemporary New Zealand woman. In addition musical contributions will be made by women musicians and composers. “Ladies a Plate Please” promises a full spectrum of information and comment ranging from the light-hearted to the more serious issues confronting women today. Contributors who are well-known include Dame Ngaio Marsh, Sue Kedgely, Fiona Kidman, Dr Shirley Smith,

Dr Diana Mason, Dr Ruth Butterworth and Pamela Gruber, with three of the battlers of the 30s and 40s, Connie Birchfield, Elsie Locke and Freda Cooke. Denis Glover has written a special poem for the programme, along the theme, of “Ladies a Plate Please.” Also from male contributors there will be a piece on “house husbands” and light-hearted spoof on male/female conflicts.

Various groups will state questions they would like to put to women M.P.s and another segment will investigate the problems facing women in semi-skilled and unskilled professions. “Ladies a Plate Please” is produced by Lynne Alexander and Martin Hadlow, with Beverley Wakem, whose early career in broadcasting involved both radio and television production, as executive producer.