Vote Against Equal Rights

Northern Advocate, 11 August 1948, Page 4

Vote Against Equal Rights

WELLINGTON, Wed. (P.A.).—The action of New Zealand’s delegate on the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations Economic and Social Council in voting against a resolution favouring the giving of women equal rights with men was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr E. P. Aderman (O—New Plymouth) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) if the New Zealand representative on the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations Economic and Social Council had voted against ensuring women equal rights with men in employment and remuneration, leisure, social insurance and professional training irrespective of their nationality, race, language or religion, on the instruction of the New Zealand Government. Mr Aderman asked the Prime Minister to inform New Zealand women which of the particular aspects designated were objected to, and to indicate the reasons for this reactionary attitude. Mr Fraser said he had no knowledge of the matter beyond what had been reported in the newspapers. No instructions had been issued to the New Zealand representative at the meeting. There might have been certain circumstances not yet known here to explain the attitude of the New Zealand delegate. For instance, the British delegate had abstained from voting. ❖#’ * *

The resolution. which requested all United Nations members to “ensure women equal rights with men in employment and remuneration, leisure, social insurance and professional training, irrespective of their nationality, race, language or religion,” was carried by nine votes to four. The United States, New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands voted against the resolution. Britain abstained. The committee passed a second resolution by 13 votes to none, with one abstention, demanding for women equal educational rights with men.