Scholarship decision ‘discriminatory’

Press, 28 July 1987, Page 2

Scholarship decision ‘discriminatory’

PA Wellington The Human Rights Commission has decided a woman who twice missed the Nuffield farming scholarship was discriminated against because of her sex.

Mrs Robyn Grigg, of Akaroa, had applied for the scholarship to study in Britain in 1983 and 1984 but had missed selection both times. The trustees of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust did not accept the opinion of the commission that Mrs Grigg had been discriminated against and had questioned the jurisdiction of the commission in the matter, the commission said in its monthly newsletter.

The trustees, made up of senior farming leaders and chaired by a former Meat Board chairman, Sir

Charles Hilgendorf, declined Mrs Grigg’s application on the basis that the scholarship was not intended for women.

The settlement reached between the commission and the trustees was a five-point agreement, the highlight of which is a change in the list of qualifications for the scholarship to show it is open to anyone regardless of sex, race, or ethnic origin. The points are.—

• The trustees “regretted” the opinion of the commission and Mrs Grigg that she was discriminated against in the selection process on account of her sex.

• The trustees “agree that an important part is played by an increasing number of women in both the practical and management aspects of farming and that such women are

equally capable of serving the farming community and farming organisations on their return from the scholarship as are male scholars. It is agreed that the contribution of many women may not necessarily be identical to that of most men but that in its own blend that contribution may be equally significant for the farming community as a whole.” • The trustees have agreed to revise the wording of the criteria for selection of scholars to show they are open to men and women. • No monetary compensation is sought or being paid in the settlement. Neither party will comment further on the "alleged facts and opinions” on Mrs Grigg’s applications as some of these are being disputed.