Making it happen

Press, 30 June 1983, Page 12

Making it happen

“Three nominations will be coming up very soon for the Advisory Committee on Women’s Affairs. I urge South Island groups to make nominations. A.C.W.A. members are now paid $75 a day as a result of the chairwoman’s (Miss Colleen Dewe’s) efforts to place the committee on a parity with similar male bodies.” The united councils were being created at a time when women were having some success in getting into local bodies.

“It is interesting that another tier is created, which women find it difficult to get to.

“My feeling is that every day we write in the sand, and twice a day the tide rolls in. Nevertheless, things are getting better.

Assessing voluntary work Estimating the amount of unpaid work done by women, and in some way recompensing them for this work, is seen as a major international goal for the United Nations’ Decade for Women.

The Regional Women’s Decade Committee is spearheading local initiatives to have a question on voluntary work included in future Census papers. Local submissions will add support to the submission being prepared by the Advisory Committee on Women’s Affairs. Colleen Dewe, chairwoman of the Wellingtonbased A.C.W.A. described ways in which voluntary work might be classified in a recent address to the ■Young Women’s Chritian Association in Christchurch.

Miss Dewe outlined three categories of unpaid work which the Advisory Committee on women will be recommending in its submission.

This is the type of unpaid work which is an extension of paid work; the voluntary work that is quite unconnected to one’s work; and full-time motherhood. Miss Dewe believes that the introduction of the latter category would help in resolving the Family Benefit debate, and assist with introducing either tax relief, or two levels of the Family Benefit.

Lady Hay, chairwoman of the Decade Committee says if women’s groups feel that women’s work is undervalued, they should make submissions on the subject.

“I urge everyone who is considering making sub-

missions for the next Census, to make sure that they get them in by July 31, the last day for submissions,” she said.

Special forms are required for submissions. These can be picked up from the Department of Statistics, in Christchurch. Keeping tabs on the T.A.B.

National Council of Women delegates are alarmed at present efforts to upgrade the image of off-course betting at Totalisator Agency Board offices throughout the country. Delegates voted unanimously to support a call by Mrs Anne Evans, director of the Christchurch Young Women’s Christian Association, to voice their concern to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Highet.

Mrs Evans sees moves to legitimise gambling by upgrading the T.A.B. offices and appointing a promotions officer, as “quite immoral.” Siting T.A.B.s in tavern car parks she describes as cynical in the extreme. “This will be tragic for low-income families where food and clothing may be sacrificed to increased betting,” she said.

“The Government is trying to get more money out of weak people’s pockets, and as we know, gambling is a sickness for many people. “Words fail me that supposedly responsible citizens could think along these lines.”

Mrs Mary McGiven, president of the Christchurch branch of National Council of Women, and convener of the national standing committee on

social welfare, said the committee was most concerned about the further promotion of the Totalisator Agency Board. Since the service it offered appealed most to low-income families, and increased betting was likely to be a further drain on their finances. “The siting of T.A.B.S in tavern car parks will also create many problems for the police,” she said. Both Mrs Evans and Mrs McGiven hope that there will be a surge of opinion against official policies which further encourage gambling.

Family Planning appointment

A full-time medical director has been appointed to the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Family Planning Association. Dr Diana Edwards is at present practising in the United States, and takes up her new position in August. “It has taken us about five years to find a fulltime medical director,” commented Mrs Valda Woods, president of the Christchurch branch. “Having a full-time person in charge will make a great difference to our operations, and should improve training sessions for medical staff.” Combining against violence No matter how small a woman is, no matter how old or unfit, there are ways she can protect herself against attack ... and the Young Women’s Christian Association will show how!

Self-defence techniques will be part of a public

meeting that Y.W. is holding on Monday, July 4 at 7.30 p.m., to alert women about the best methods of protection against, and avoidance of violent attacks. The meeting will also encourage women to set up neighbourhood watch groups and telephone networks. The Y.W.’s own Sue Ly-tollis-trained Self Defence instructors will be on hand to give hints on dealing with attackers. An officer from the Crime Prevention Squad will talk about securing the home, and how to deal with late night prowlers. Too much grieving The loss of a loved person can prove almost too much for the grieving person to cope with by themselves. Now a new, informal group of people who have grieved — and got over it — has been set up to provide a listening ear and a shoulder for the grief-stricken. Grief Support offers volunteer helpers who work from their own homes to help other people heal their own wounds. It is organised by Diane Bedford and Colin Jamieson, of the Community Mental Health Team. For support, phone 792-934. Goats to go Sheila Ramsay and her 68 goats will soon be parted. Sheila, whose goat farming venture received all sorts of headlines when she set up her flock near Waipara three years ago, has been unable to find suitable land for them now that the share-milk-ing agreement has been terminated.

She now looks forward to a paid job with the S.P.C.A. in Christchurch. 30 Saanen goats are up for tender, the rest will be taken over by her mother. Readers' forum In a recent “Making it Happen,” column reference was made to a man who addressed men as “sir” and women as “dear”. While agreeing that this is a patronising use of words, I consider that the use of “dear” to a woman (or to anyone) by a woman is usually patronising too. How to deal with it? My method is to retaliate in kind. Tack “dear” on to the end of every sentence in your reply. It may take a bit of practice, but you’ll soon find you can slip it in quite naturally. The effect? Some people clearly get the message — I particularly remember an Australian airline steward who did so. If they don’t get the message, at least doing it relieves my feelings of indignation. This also applies to “love,” “darling,” or the short form, “darl.” If really exasperated, I use the word “sweetheart” to a man. Una Dromgoole, Christchurch. Rules for readers who want to express their views in the Making It Happen column apply as for the Letters to the Editor. Our space limitations mean that we must maintain the 150 word limit. Items for consideration in Making It Happen, and readers’ letters, should be forwarded to Mrs J. Steincamp, Home and People Page, “The Press,” P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.