What The M.p. S Were Saying Too Few Appointments... (Press, 9 August 1976)

In a debate on private members' notices of motion, Mrs M. D. Batchelor, a Labour MP from Avon, accused the Government of not fulfilling its commitment to appoint more women to boards, commissions, and tribunals. Citing remarks from the retiring woman vice-president of the National Party, Mrs Helen Sinclair, Batchelor highlighted that the National Party's record was "dismal" when it came to women's appointments. She pointed out that significant numbers of former National women supporters had shifted to activist groups due to the feeling of being ignored. She underscored the frustration among women's organisations and individuals regarding the lack of action on the Government's promise, as outlined in its 1975 manifesto, to give priority to women's appointments. Batchelor noted that in the eight months since the National Party took office, no women had been appointed to the board of the new Broadcasting Corporation, whereas the previous Labour Government had appointed three women. Miss C. E. Dewe, a National MP from Lyttelton, defended the Government's record, asserting that 78 women had been appointed to various boards in that time. She argued that qualified women must be found for these positions, suggesting that appointing a "token woman" does not serve the purpose if the qualifications aren’t met. Meanwhile, Mr M. G. Courtney from Labour expressed sympathy with Mrs Sinclair’s concerns and criticised the National Party for failing to honour its commitments to women. Batchelor also acknowledged the Government's initiative to provide equal rights for women as jurors but expressed concern about the daunting experience many might face when called for jury service. She suggested that better information and instruction could ease this process, and she indicated plans to challenge Prime Minister Muldoon’s remarks about the domestic purposes benefit, which she felt unfairly targeted vulnerable women. In a related political discourse, Mr R. L. G. Talbot from the National Party argued against the Opposition's stance on the Nuclear-free Zone Bill, claiming it contradicted New Zealand’s security commitments, especially under the ANZUS pact. He warned that passing the bill would undermine essential security agreements, while Labour MP Mr R. W. Prebble dismissed Talbot's concerns as exaggerated. Additionally, Mr B. T. Barclay, a Labour MP and former Under-Secretary for Agriculture, ridiculed National Party plans to increase sheep and cattle numbers. He highlighted past missteps, including a significant loss of sheep numbers after a government incentivisation scheme, accusing the National Party of neglecting practical agricultural realities by focusing solely on statistics. This debate reflects broader tensions in New Zealand politics in 1976 surrounding women's rights, nuclear policy, and agricultural management.

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