Candidates reply:

Press, 25 November 1981, Page 20

Candidates reply:

Avon Mary Batchelor (L.): Question 3. Prefer benefit with means test. 4. Not in favour of affirmative action, wary of tokenism. 8. Support it in principle but it is not serving its purpose al present. 9. Hard to tell what would really benefit by Parliamentary reforms. 10. Would be well used by a Labour government and much better than affirmative action. Colin McNicholl (N.): Question 1. Encourage females to study for more technical careers. 3. Support the means test. 4. Up to the women to become more skilled. 5. No comment. 8; Do not support the Act. Question 6 onwards, no comment. 7. Would, like the whole Act changed. If we wish citizens to behave as adults we must allow them the responsibilities that adults are expected to z take on. If they wish government to pass a' law on these issues the only way to do this is by a referendum. 8. Do not like the Human Rights Act in its present form., Everybody is equal, regardless of circumstances. 9. Bill of Rights, initiative referendums. 10. In favour of the file but it is the-wrong way to do it. Christchurch Central Peter Admore (S.C.): On employment questions: Generally females are more

emotionally and psychologically stable, so to a large degree legislation should not be passed on these topics. Legislation ought rather to be- removed when it is against women's rights. Social and human development skills should be taught in schools because adult attitudes won’t change until children's attitudes change. Must remove from society any hint that men should have preference. Geoff Palmer (L.): Question 8. Yes. but opposed to Sides Amendment. 10. No comment. lan Wilson (N.): Question 3. In favour of means test. 4. The question is out of date. There is no discrimination now under the law. 6. Establishing creches as envisaged in this question would detract from the important relationships that develop between child and parent during the first five years of the child's life. 7. Want the Act repealed. 8- No comment. 9. Freedom of Information Act the first step for- a greater freedom of information. 10. Should not differentiate between men and women. Fendalton Philip Burdon (N.): Question 2. Work sharing. Some" thing should be done about the Domestic Purposes Benefit which penalises and prevents .many solo parents ■wanting to return to the workforce. Consult women’s

groups about redundancy. 6. Should be under continuous review, but money is not available at present for wide-ranging changes. 7. Oppose liberalisation or a referendum because a referendum would result in overwhelming support for a more repressive law. 8. Generally, but the principle of the Sides Amendment unfortunate. 9. No comment. 10. Sympathetic to better use of the file. Louise Moore (S.C.): Question 1. Oppose differentiation between sexes for jobs , 3. Prefer means testing. 4. Barriers should be removed but women with ability can get ahead. 7. Oppose liberalisation. 8. Support the Act. 10. Unaware of the file, but believe women can get appointed through the usual channels. David Close (L.): Question 4. Support affirmative action as a visibly competent

woman in a, high position will help change attitudes. 7. Referendum, also more education to reduce need for abortions and free contraceptive advice and service. The law must allow abortion (as it allows divorce) while we as a society do all we can to avoid the need for it. 8. General review and improvements. 10. Not sure how the file operates. Lyttelton Ann Hercus (L.): Question, 1. Make sure girls don’t just look for training or jobs regarded as "suitable’’ for them. 2. All tertiary inslitions need child care facilities 4. Follow the Canadian programme of five years affirmative action in the public sector to produce role models in middle and top level management. Programme unnecessary after five years. 8. 'Yes. Human

Rights Commission is a vital educating agent within the community, but is not given credit for this. 10. Expect to see the file used a lot. Simon Stamers-Smith (N.): Question 4. You have the Equal Pay Act. what more do you warn? 5. Job sharing is a thing of the future. I

would have thought that part-time work had risen dramatically in the last few years. 7. Repeal the Act and return to the Crimes Act. 8. Repeal the Human Rights Act. 9. Vital to have freedom of information. 10. If women are good enough they’ll get appointments but. should not be favoured particularly. Michael Bruce (S.C.): Question 2. Job snaring. 7. Abortion laws should remain as at present, but we need more education on all three subjects starting at least at form one and two. 8. Basically a fair Act. but needs firming up to prevent discrimination. 9. Need change in attitudes so husbands can look after children if women want to get into politics. 10. Unaware of the file, but women must be selected on merit. Papanui Mike Moore (L.): Question 4. Oppose affirmative action. 7. Agree with referendum, but have voted conservatively. and will continue to. on abortion. Would oppose its abnormality clause. 8. Oppose the Act as at present. 10. Should be used more as the file is better than straight out affirmative action. Tom Langridge (S.C.): Question 4. Affirmative action is wrong because it creates ill feeling and destroys achievement gained by merit. 5. Will come when the country can afford a new way of life. 6. Yes. but not with government involvement. 7. Referendum. 8. No. 10. No comment. St Albans

Quinton Manson (S.C.): Question 3. Socred will give tax rebates to the family io recognise the unpaid work of the housewife. 4. Not in favour of special encouragement. 7. Abortion laws quite adequate. Contraception should be able to be discussed in schools after parents have been consulted; parents might attend such sessions. 8. Support the Sides Amendment. The emphasis on "persons” can go too far, an employer should be able to advertise for a man or woman. 10. The file should be used more frequently. David Caygill (L.): Question 1. Need specific programmes to widen women's

occupational outlook. to widen 'school curricula for girls, also provint i<>ns in the limited field to »inicb women seem to gravitate. 2. Specific programmes fur returning women only it demand is apparent. 7. Act tails. Teachers must be mile io discuss human development and give contraceptive advice and there should be no limit on. the number of doctors who can recommend abortions. 8. Not happy with the Act and the Sides Amendment should be repealed. 9. Select committees should be more powerful. 10. The file should be used more.

Jim Baker (N.): Employment questions. No specific programmes are needed because there are more women working than ever before. 3. Means test should remain 4. Thai's nonsense anyway, women are not tn the lowest paid, lowesi skilled tons, if women get marketable skills they can jusi as easily get jobs as men. 7. My conscience dictates I would oppose abortion but I support others' rights to differ. 8. The Eric Sides case showed up a flaw in it. 9. No. It). Don't know about the file. Wove got a lot of women taking part in decision-making. A bit of a non-issue really. Selzcyn Bill Woods (L.): Question I Should encourage employers to take on women m traditionally male-.iominaied jobs. 2. More accessible daycare centres as well as retraining. 7. Make n honest. 8. No comment 10 Names are already being gathered by the Labour Parly. Sydenham Warwick Sykes (N.): Question 3. Keep means testing 4. I don't believe in affirmative action or tokenism 1 applaud the fact that National has no policy on women. 5. Not tor government to legislate on 6. The government cant legislate. 7. The only people who have the right to discuss, vote on and make laws on the subject are women aged between 15 to 20. Want it repealed. 8. In principle. 9. No. I believe government is governed by -Cabinet and basic decisions have never been made in Parliament. 10. Don’t support the file. Richard Bach (S.C.): Question 6. All pre-school authority should be pul under one department, not four or five as at preseni. 7. Abortion should he a mailer of con-

science. Parents and teachers should discuss whether to have sex education in schools. 8. Rape should be redefined as any situation where a woman is forced, against her will. Do not support the act with anomalies such as the Sides Amendment. 8. The Official Information Act right of appeal should be heard by an independent tribunal not the Cabinet or the Ombudsman, it). The file should be used more in the human rights area, but the women must have proper qualifications. Y aidhurst

Mick Connelly (L.): Question 4. Labour opposes discrimination in the work force. Affirmative action has already advanced women within' the public service. 5. Should be agreed on by employer and employee. 7. The Act's administration needs strengthening. 8. No personal comment. 10. The file would be used. Alan Wilkinson (V.): Question i. Values supports a government-sponsored campaign to eliminate sex stereotyping. 2. Employers must be made aware of the advantage in employing women returning to the paid work force; a stable lifestyle. experience in management. etc. 5. Time spent bringing up children would count as service in relevant jobs and interrupted service, whereby one parent took tmje to rear children, would be the norm for both sexes. 7. The Act is worse than useless. Values would repeal the law and give women the choice. 8. The Human Rights act in its present form looks pretty, but lacks teeth. It lacks a policy of reverse discrimination. 9. Parliamentary life has no consideration for families. Values would take power from government and give it to local communities, institute proportional representation and freedom of information. 10. Values will use the file to achieve set quotas of women through the hierarchy. Norman Davey (S.C.): Question 3. Keep means testing. 4. No. they should become skilled. 6. The user should pay. 7. Education and awareness is needed about attitudes to sexuality. Is sensual indulgence so vital in happy social relationships? Unwanted pregnancies are too common. I thought we knew the cause. 8. No. 10. Women must organise themselves to increase their qualifications as leaders.