Woman sociologist for ‘think tank’

Press, 31 December 1977, Page 6

Woman sociologist for ‘think tank’

PA Wellington i The first woman to be ap-; pointed to the Prime Minis-; ter’s “think tank,” Mrs Helene Knox, of Wellington, said that she would bring to ;it not so much a woman’s | point of view as a wider appreciation of “grass roots” opinion. Mrs Knox, who was appointed to the economic advisory group this month, and whose identity was made known yesterday, is a graduate liaison officer of the State Services Commission. She has been seconded for two years. Mrs Knox said that her I role in the “think tank” had [not yet been reduced to ; specifics — “it is just a ■very broad brief for social issues. I do not yet know ! which ones I will specialise

She rejected the idea that she would be in the group simply to provide a “woman’s view,” although !she agreed that part of her duties might be to give a balanced opinion on economic matters. Asked whether she accepted the concept of a specialist groups giving private advice to the Prime I Minister, Mrs Knox said -that the group gave things a 'different perspective. “In solving a problem one needs to have as much information as possible,” she said.

i “The advantage of the group is that it is closer to ! grass roots level of opinion, iand that is a perspective ! which has to be taken into ! account.”

That did not mean to say it replaced departmental opinion. “Departments have different perspectives to examine, a broader base of knowledge to draw upon. “At the same time, grassroots opinion has to be listened to, and departments do not have the time to cover that,” said Mrs Knox. Mrs Knox, whose husband, Mr Colin Knox, is Assistant Town Clerk of the Welling-

ton City Corporation, has a I B.A. degree with first-class honours in sociology from > Victoria University. She spent some time as a ’ research assistant with the university’s political science j department. She is one of three new > appointees to the advisory i group. The others are Mr Alastair Bisley, of the Minis- , try of Foreign Affairs; and ; Mr Peter Rook, a marketing ■ manager of Winstone Ltd.