N.C.W. branches are active in wide range of concerns
Mrs Horsman cited the 1977 Conference on Women and Health, the unpublished report of which “still languishes in the offices of the Advisory Committee on Women’s Affairs.”
“It has many good things in it, but the crunch is that the Committee on Women (as it was then) did not have enough woman power to monitor and promote the recommendations.
“The job needs a permanent, full-time, graded research officer whose position should be funded equally by A.C.W.A. and the Department of Health. Until such a person is appointed, progress on the conference recommendations will remain in the present haphazard state.” Mrs Horsman also drew attention to the inadequate funding for the series of leaflets on girls in non-
The National Council of Women is paying $5OO, just half the cost of printing one leaflet.
Mrs Horsman asked if, in spite of our superior standards of living, New Zealand women were really much better off than women in developing countries. “How much say do women really have in planning in this country?” she asked.
“How many women are there on your borough council, or city council, or county council, on your Education Board, Pest Destruction Board, Harbour Board — or any of the many groups which together have so much influence on your day-to-day lives?” Mrs Horsman said, however, that thanks largely to the influence of the present Minister of Justice, Mr McKay, many more women were being appointed as Justices of the Peace than
She rejected the concept that, “We’ll always have wars; it’s human nature,” saying that it was not women’s nature.
She emphasised that few women got anything from war, and that the vast majority simply wanted to live in a peaceful world.
She spoke of the many strongly worded remits in the field of international relations and peace made by the International Council of Women over a period of 80 years.
These resolutions, directed at individual governments as well as international bodies, included disarmament, non-prolifera-tion of nuclear weapons, support for the comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, strengthening of procedures to settle disputes by peaceful means, and training chil-
health of children and the welfare of society, should spearhead the fight against New Zealand’s high levels of lead in petrol. A particularly successful effort to measure lead levels in the local environment was initiated by the North Canterbury branch of the National Council of Women.
It called upon N.C.W. branches throughout the country to assist in collecting dust particles for scientific measurement of lead. The branch’s initiatives mirror the increasing concern about the high levels of lead in New Zealand petrol, and the effects of lead on the development of children. It is now realised that children who absorb even moderate amounts of lead may be impaired both physically and mentally.
N.C.VT. branch activity
A highlight of the recent National Council of Women’s regional meeting was the presentation by branches attending of their activities.
The large Christchurch branch has put together a pool of helpers for the city’s “Be Mobile” bus service for the handicapped; is working on a pilot scheme to assist children in care; and is publicising the organisation generally with its small handbook and through the production and sale of souvenir spoons.
North Canterbury branch gives the Rangiora Hospital all the support it can, and promotes the wide range of services it offers. The branch has
has shared the catering and entertainment for 26 years. Local issues are also important — such as the retention of the town’s picture theatre and the Old Court House, and “reflectorised” clothing for delivery boys. The regional meeting provided the first opportunity for many members from small branches to learn from other branches, to meet members of the national executive, and to hear what is going on at the national level, according to Christchurch branch president. Mary McGiven. • • • Women’s health workshops
A large number of health workshops will be run at Hagley High School next Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They include Agoraphobia, Incest and Sexual Abuse; Racism; How to Stay Out of Your
Parent Effectiveness. March 24 and 31, 9 a.m. to noon. All enquiries phone 526-181, or call in at 41 Harewood Road.
Bishopdale Community Centre: Assertive Communication, Tuesday, March 29 to May 3, 10 a.m. to noon. Shary Vargo, phone 516090. • « • Quote
Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years. That is what makes a marriage last — more than passion or even sex! Simone Signoret.
Items for consideration in the next Making It Happen column should be sent by March 31 to Mrs J. Steincamp, Home and People Page, The Press, P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.
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