Selwyn candidate

Press, 27 February 1981, Page 12

Selwyn candidate

Sir,. — It is becoming obvious from the orchestrated letters appearing in these columns that Ruth Richardson’s : hard core of feminist supporters are carry-

ing out the candidate’s publicised intention of subjecting the Selwyn voter to constant political propaganda until the November General Election. I feel it is quite unfair that her supporters condemn those of us who would prefer a good local candidate as advocating parish pump politics. The Labour candidate. Bill Woods, is the only truly local standard-bearer for Selwyn, and by implication must be the target of this unpleasant campaign by a person one of your correspondents considers will be New Zealand’s first woman Prime Minister. Judging by results in Britain, femininity at the top is certainly no guarantee of good government. — Yours, etc. R. L. PLUCK. February 25, 1981. Sir, — I grew up in the Selwyn electorate and am staggered by, the attacks on Ruth Richardson. Surely Selwyn people are not applying the principle. “Better the devil you know.” Rural women, long discriminated against in farming communities, should welcome a female candidate with experience in law. Many farmers’ widows, after years of unpaid service,.live in impoverished circumstances to allow sons to take over family properties, — Yours, etc., D. BENNETT. February 25, 1981.