Race case to N.Z. woman

Press, 26 January 1980, Page 1

Race case to N.Z. woman

By KEN COATES in London A New Zealand woman who has been awarded damages under the Race Relations Act in London hopes it may encourage other New Zealanders to seek legal advice if they feel they have been discriminated against. Mrs Prudence Dewe, a journalist who works for a public relations firm, and formerly of New Plymouth and Hamilton, was awarded $l5O damages and $lOO for loss of earnings by an industrial tribunal which found she had been discriminated against on the ground of her national origin. Married to an Englishman and living in Britain, which gives her the right to work, Mrs Dewe said she had seen an advertisement for a job sellihg women’s expensive fashionwear at a West End shop.

When she inquired about the vacancy, she was told she might be suitable. The person in charge of recruitment told her on the telephone that the company wanted only “somebody English.” On the advice of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau she got in touch with the Commission for Racial Equality which presented the case before the tribunal. “Because I had only verbal evidence, I thought I would have no chance of winning, but I was furious about the incident and followed it through on principle,” Mrs Dewe said. The firm denied having given her the answer alleged. “I hope other Kiwis will do the same if they feel they have been racially discriminated against,” Mrs Dewe said.