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CONTENTS

FEATURES NIGHTWORKERS C leaning city offices SPORTING SUCCESS AUCKLAND TO WELLINGTON ON A BICYCLE TAXING US HARDER TEEN MOVIES WHEN A LESBIAN IS DYING — IS THERE ROOM FOR HER FRIENDS? ^THEY DIDN’T TELL ME IT WOULD BE LIKE THIS IN COURT REGULARS LETTERS AND FRONTING UP BEHIND THE NEWS Not Just Home Economics/Equal Pay/Lesbian and Gay Teachers W omen’s Studies Conference — Here’s Looking at Us/Chinese Lesbians Meet SISTERS INTELLIGENCE SERVICE K ate S h e p p a rd B o o ksh o p W o m e n ’s W o rkin g Party on Drugs WHAT’S NEW ON THE SHELF Jane Mitchell competing in the HOGWASH 100 metres hurdle, East Coast Bays, H i mm CLASSIFIED ARTS REVIEWS The Electric Ballroom Whisky and W hitebait Stories From the River/Nga Kokako Huataratara/A Changing Order/Head and Shoulders, Great Expectations/Women s Mental Health ------Project Cervical Cancer/Pirate Moon Women and Culture Broken Mirrors ______39 INTERVIEW P a u lin e O ’R e g a n 40

Cover drawing by Jeannette Wocllcombe, design by Sharon Alston BROADSHEET COLLECTIVE Sharon Alston, Peta Joyce, Claire-Louise McCurdy, Jenny Rankine, Pat Rosier, Jesvier Singh, Athina Tsoulis Editorial and policy decisions are made by the collective. Main areas of responsibility are: Bookshop, Jesvier Singh; Design and layout, Sharon Alston; Editorial, Jenny Rankine and Pat Rosier; Finances, subscriptions, Athina Tsoulis; Resource Collection, Claire-Louise McCurdy. THESE WOMEN HELPED AROUND BROADSHEET THIS MONTH: Susan Grimsdell, Jess Hawk Oakenstar, Margaret Fitzgibbon, Hazel Sargeant, Jill Segedin, Lynda Earl, Teuila Grace Xavier Tualaulelei. BROADSHEET is published by Broadsheet Magazine Ltd, PO Box 68-026 Newton Auckland; ^ 'S te re d Of­ fice: 485 Karangahape Rd, Auckland 1; and printed by Wanganui Newspapers Ltd, 20 Drews Avenue, Wan­ ganui. Photoprints by SHOTZ, Auckland BROADSHEET annual subscription $29 plus $2.90 GST. Overseas (surface) $36, overseas (airmail) Europe Molly Ringwald in 'Pretty in Pink' $54; America and Asia $46.50; Australia and South Pacific $41. 10% discount for students and beneficiaries. Permission must be sought before articles may be reprinted. TEEN MOVIES Page 26 Broadsheet is on file at the Women's Collection, Special Department, Northwestern University Library, Evanston, Illinois 60201, USA. ISSN 01 10-8603 Registered at the GPO as a magazine. CHALLENGE TO Issue 139, May 1986 ploughed back into women’s BROADSHEET CONTINUES If Broadsheet was political understanding, rather organisations in India. Any than airing of unsubstantiated genuinely interested in report­ meaningful investigation into Dear Broadsheet ing on women's struggles in and ludicrous views on areas Wē: are writing as anothei these “profits” would reveal into which little research has India, it should have done pre­ that costs cover Zed Press’ fermnist publication in re­ cisely that rather than publish­ been conducted and even less sponse to the four pages in overheads and enable them to thought given. ing ill-conceived arguments survive. (Zed Press is a work­ Broadsheet issue 139 de­ posing as political analysis. I 1 have found many sections voted to correspondence with ers' co-operative, unfunded, of the review and correspon­ refer to the correspondence publishing some excellent Gma (‘Broadsheet Chal­ about and review of ‘In Search dence insulting to Indian lenged’). Your editorial deci- titles by Third World women). women, offensive and politi­ of Answers’ (an anthology of All royalties go to Manushi, in­ Sibbs and selection of material writings from Manushi cally dangerous. For Gma to fdf°p>ublication are presuma­ cidentally also unfunded, write (and you to publish) a magazine, India). and are used by Manushi in bly based on the politics you Certain points made and diatribe which does everything wish to promote, which is ways they deem appropriate to cast aspersions on the polit­ questions raised in letters and and necessary— Manushi re­ surely to contribute to interna­ her review not only need ical integrity of the editors and mains the best judge of that. authors of the anthology, and tional feminism. Gma's argu­ clarification but must be ex­ ments are contradictory, per­ The point about the book nothing to even begin to raise posed as false, uninformed being available only in a sonalised and offensive. Her and dangerous. questions about the com­ foreign country/the West is plexities of women’s oppres­ Criticisms of Manushi and What is the controversy that Zed Press are not based on also inaccurate. Not only has it sion and the fightback, is to be Gma refers to in connection received substantial coverage political differences but on the with the publication of “In censured. Political criticism self-righteous assumption in the Indian press, it is also av­ and analysis of the book would Search of Answers”? If it is re­ ailable in India with demand that she is in a better position lated to her own suspicions of have been welcomed. Instead, than anyone else to articulate for it always increasing. Yes, it we are being assaulted with a the motives behind its publica­ is available outside India, and Indian women’s demands. At tion then surely it is a con­ barrage of highly charged per­ no point does she acknow­ why not? The exchange of in­ sonal statements in the guise troversy of her own making? In formation is crucial to the de­ ledge her own priv i leged posi­ any case, why should any sus­ of some kind of Black feminist velopment of political under­ morality. tion in being able to attend in­ picion befall the publication of standing and consequently, a Finally, for Gma to conclude ternational conferences. If she an invaluable and vital feminism that is inter­ that the book is “another voy­ had used this position to agi- documentation of a variety of | tate and denounce the brutal nationalist and not confined to euristic rip-off of Black and in­ Indian women’s struggles as insural boundaries. And yes, it exploitation of Indian women perceived and analysed by digenous women” is totally (as the editors of Manushi is published in English, the outrageous and offensive. If feminists and activists in language of our colonisers have done for years) all well India? the editors and authors of the but, ironically, also the lan­ book — all feminists and ac- and good, but instead she at­ Gma declares that “no clear guage that unites Black tivits — are not “permitted” (or tacks Manushi and Zed Press commitment has been made (a radical publisher, which in­ women from different parts of so it would seem) by Gma to towards the vast majority of In­ the world. Again, any cursory cidentally does not make pro­ dian women” — clearly a publish such a book, who is? investigation into the com­ Sheila Shah fits from its books) as though ludicrous accusation, and one /they were agents of capitalism plexities surrounding the England which displays ignorance usage of English in India by and imperialism! about the history and role that s If the Manushi anthology is the literate public would have Manushi is available from CI-20 Latpat Manushi (the magazine) has revealed that a book published Nagar — I exploitative and Zed Press is played for several years. Both New Delhi ripping off Indian women in in English would reach a wider 10024 India editors of the book are found­ audience, in India and abroad. publishing it, who does have ing members of Manushi and the right to spread such infor­ In the review itself, which Dear Broadsheet have worked tirelessly and on Broadsheet mistakenly ele­ I really like the stimulating mation? Or does Gma wish to a voluntary basis not only for silence everyone other than vates into “an analysis of the range of stuff in Broadsheet Manushi s survival but also in politics of the publication of these days. One reservation — herself? grass roots organising I We welcome Broadsheet's the book" Gma claims that the the article of May 1986 on a amongst women. What is the dedication of In Search... 1984 controversy on the non­ increasing coverage of inter­ commitment that Gma is national and indigenous which says, “...To all those publication of a review by an questioning? Surely the very women of India, some known, Indian New Zealand woman. women’s struggles but we fail existence of Manushi is in it­ to understand what criteria but mostly unknown, whose Current readers did not have self an obvious expression of lives have been devoted to the the information to understand could have been used in de­ commitment from the women ciding to publish personal cor­ struggle for freedom and dig­ the issues at the bottom of the and supporters who have nity...” is “empty and a bitter controversy so publication of respondence, an uninforma­ worked on it and for it. Any at­ tive statement about a confer- irony”. Is Gma really the best the correspondence so long tempt to discredit these judge of that? Broadsheet's after the event was not en­ j ence which took place two women and insidiously hint at original decision not to pub­ lightening. It also put Sandra years ago and a book review motives other than political lish the ‘review’ was quite cor­ Coney personally in the hot which gives no insight what- commitment for publishing I soever into its content. rect. Surely a decision about seat for a decision which was a the book is tantamount to what to publish is based on collective one. This seems In Sisterhood, political sabotage. poliical principles, i.e. the churlish in view of all the work The Outwrite Collective Questions about the chan­ England. selection of material depend­ Sandra has done over the neling of profits made from ing upon its political merits, its Dear Broadsheet years. the book are also raised, and facts and information, and its Re: Challenging Broadsheet, The tone of Gma’s letter is Gma asks if these will be analysis and contribution to one of irrational guilt-tripping

2 Broadsheet, October 1986 and it appears that the present cussion. one. to replace the old one so that it collective was hooked by this The Broadsheet Collective Joy Florence wonders what would coincide with changes tactic into opening up old Auckland I was aiming at when I used to the law on rape. Eventually wounds. While it is important what she calls a “more de­ because there was no one else for Pakeha women to take re­ WOMEN’S PLACE OLD tached, moderate?, to do it, I agreed to write all of sponsibility for our own racist AND NEW academic? approach ”. What I the handbook with help from attitudes and behaviour, we was aiming for was objectivity, informed people within the don’t have to buy everything Tena koutou Wahine ma. fairness and an informative community and from collec­ hurled at us by anyone with a We wish to let you all know the approach. To use the example tive members, using the 1982 brown or black skin We have debts from the previous she quoted: the 1982 Hand­ Handbook as a guide. The to have a coherent analysis of Women’s Place Bookshop are book states “Just as men are process of researching and racism. Responsibility and ac­ now paid off. trained to be perfect rapists...”; writing the new handbook tion are needed, not emotive We have come full circle I changed this to “Just as men took me eight months, and irrational accusations and since our opening, Winter Sol­ are socialized in such a way what had begun as a revision equally irrational guilt-promp­ stice 1981, and we want to that predisposes them to be actually became substantially ted responses. thank all the women who have rapists...” I would change this a new work. In fact, about 8- Viv Porszolt supported us over the years... again now to “Just as men are 10% of the 1986 book is a re­ Wellington all the books and records you socialized in such a way that peat of the earlier one, al­ bought, the orders you sent to predisposes some of them to though Joy Florence several be rapists...” I would content times suggests it is an inferior BROADSHEET RESPONDS us from different parts of the country, the word-of-mouth that the 1982 version is copy. I omitted to acknow­ publicity you gave us. Without generalized (“Just as men” = ledge the debt the new hand­ The present collective decided your ongoing sustenance we “rapists”) and emotive book owes to the old because to publish the correspon­ would never have survived so (“trained”). My version re­ they are organically linked, dence between Gma and duces the genralization and one having been produced by Broadsheet and the Brixton long. Thanks too, to all the removes the emotive term: 1 the Wellington Rape Crisis Black Women s statement for women who helped us in so therefore think it more accu­ Centre collective in 1982 and a number of reasons. many other ways — from rate and objective. This exam­ one having been written for it One of these was Broad­ donating plants and chairs, ple is probably a good illustra­ and as part of it and, fortu­ sheet's long delays in re­ giving legal advice, showing tion of my approach and in­ nately, with its blessing in sponding to Gma’s corres­ us how to set up cashrbooks tentions throughout the Hand­ 1986. pondence, which arose from and struggling with balance book. Ginette Sullivan (author) disagreement among the col­ sheets, to lending a hand at I was asked by the Wel­ Vicki Owen (Chairperson col­ lective on whether to publish stalls, giving of your time in the lington Rape Crisis Centre to lective of Wellington Rape and subsequent delays in bookshop and donating write part of a new handbook Crisis) making a decision. We give money. We are grateful for full and careful attention to ev­ your energy and enthusiasm erything we publish, without — you all were a part of it too. expecting that everyone will We urge you to continue to agree with our decisions. support the Womens Place Gma’s review contains a re­ Bookshop in its new cycle at sponse to In Search of Answers rather than an evalu­ 58 Courtenay Place. ation of its contents. We felt Kia ora, The Cuba Street Collective that the fact that we did not agree with' everything that she Wellington. said was indicated by the print­ ing of a second review focus­ AUTHOR REPLIES TO sing on the contents of the REVIEW book. We published Gma’s re­ view as a result of our decisipn Dear Broadsheet to publish all the material to I would like to make a reply to allow readers to form their Joy Florence’s review of Rape own opinions. It is in this spirit Crisis Handbook which ap­ that we also publish these let­ peared in your July/August ters. issue. I do not wish to make a We do not agree with Out- point by point analysis of her w rite’s statement that the criticism as she is entitled to Brixton Black Women’s state­ her opinion as a reviewer as I ment about the Amsterdam am to mine as a writer, but I conference was “uninforma­ would like to take issue with tive”. It actually raised some some errors and misconstruc­ live issues about the running tions in the review. of conferences. Issues that are The Handbook attempts to being discussed elsewhere — provide useful information for as in the July ’86 Off Our anyone who wishes to use it, Backs, in connection with a regardless of age, race, relig­ Women in History conference ion or sex. I doubt that there is held in the Gnited States. anything in it which prohibits These issues are certainly re­ its use by any individual, and I levant to the running of therefore do not regard it in conferences in New Zealand. any way as monocultural. In The Broadsheet collective writing it, 1 would also like to does not publish only material point out that I was extremely that it is in complete agree­ aware of multiracial issues, ment with — one of our aims and consequently the text is to provide a forum for dis­ speaks tor itself and bars no-

Broadsheet, October 1986 3 IN DEFENCE OF “their sexuality and attitudes .. of South Africa, although dor^1 i ■? CENSORSHIP . still forming". rial”. Dear Broadsheet, rect, is also to detract interna­ As the actor interpreting the Pornography may well be tional attention from what the To reply once again to Athina only one symptom of our op­ role of Miss Finklebottom, one Tsoulis on her second article Zionists have been doing dur­ who attempts to solve a few pression now but why do we ing the three generation long on pornography; surely arti­ have to allow it to become a problems of inter-personal re­ cles in Broadsheet (especially Palestinian holocaust. lationships through reverse cause of the future enslave­ In other words, negroes in those by members of the col­ ment of women? phychology, it falls on me to lective) are written to inform South Africa are allowed re-train Mr Duffy, a widower, in * all quotes are from Athina human rights because they and enlarge our feminist Tsoulis’s articles. his attitude toward his daugh­ perspective. Thus it is of great are very Christian and the sys­ ter Shirlene, who has begun to Elizabeth Scott tem there is very capitalist, importance that readers take Riwaka display an unhealthy empathy the trouble to write back to whereas the Semites in Pales­ with sheepdogs. The issue is tine and very nearby are not agree/disagree or add more PALESTINE/ISRAEL clearly stated: “Treat a person information and individual generally allowed human like a dog, and they’ll behave perspective to the debate, rights because they are very like a dog”. The “insidious im­ Dear Broadsheet, infidel (ie against Judeo- NOT in “attempts to silence” * I agree with Ruth Gold's state­ plication of incest” is a com­ the writer of the original article. Christianity) are “Wogs", and plete enigma. Or is it to be in­ ment (Letters, March Broad­ have no capitalist system. The If letter writers are accused of sheet), except for her use of ferred from Miss Finklebot- this Broadsheet will lose credi­ Semites also fight back too tom’s innocent suggestion the words “Jewish" and “Arab” much for our comfort. bility fast. Annette Kuhn does in the same context and her that a cuddle might be prefer­ indeed speak wisely if she says Christians (capitalist) are red by Shirlene to a doggy pat views on anti-semitism. still crusading against the “in­ “feminist is a political practice . Jews are not part of the on the head? Alas it is not only . . And it is not a monolith: it fidel”, and in this century, for beauty which is in the eye of Semitic branch of the human capitalist control of Middle comes in different varieties, of­ race, but the Arabs are so; the beholder! I woould also East oil as well, using Zionist like to point out some manipu­ fers a range of analyses and Jews are a religio-cultural Jewish religionists as their lation of statistics in the positions of women, and diffe­ group of varied ethnicity, and rent strategies for social mercenary armed forces. suggestion that one quarter of some Semites (Arabs) have No wonder that Israel, at change.” the Jewish faith. Zionist Israeli the girls in our audiences great monetary cost, is the would have been sexually So to the matter of defend­ actions against Arabs are ing censorship to control third poweruful military force abused, since we play only to therefore anti-semitic, but in the world; the control of the primary schools. pornography. All liberties Ruth Gold is correct in writing Middle East from the Nile to Incidentally, parents are must be balanced one against that anti-Zionism is not anti- the Euphrates is worth the welcome to attend any of our the other. Complete freedom semitic, it is clearly pro-semi- cost. from censorship would allow performances (space and tic. Frederica Vicente books or videos instructing school principals permitting). I am glad to read that she Wellington Many of those who do have people how to make simple stresses the long term close stayed behind to congratulate home made bombs, or simple links between South Africa WHICH TREE? the performers on their light­ home-baked heroin to be and Israel, after all they both freely available. This would be hearted attempts to “hold, as have similar anti-social laws, Dear Broadsheet deleterious to society for obvi­ twere, a mirror up to nature”. It policies and activities, (HART Your correspondent in the ous reasons. Similarly unre­ is reassuring to conclude that please take note!), and are July/August issue (letters, there are still many who are stricted pornography, (the aim both racist. Scratch a racist of a billion dollar industry) not “Dubious Play in Schools”) entertained, along with the and you find a fascist and vice seems to be barking up the only says this is OK but would children, by the spirit of fun in versa. wrong tree when concluding say it frequently to those in which it is presented and, nor­ I think that much of the that our cautionary doggy tale society who are our future, the mally, received. reason for our propaganda in “Mad Jokers, Fighters and young of both sexes, with June Harvest system’s continual castigation Biters” is “dangerous mate- Christchurch half page, $320 a full page, in­ side covers more, and more WE'VE BEEN SOLD! we print is discouraging. Send for all ads that are not camera The building we are in is being in your contributions. FRONTING ready. Special rates for regular sold to Baker Developments advertisers on request. — the whole area is to be STUFFING UP turned into a “live-in city”. The Stuffing of the November BOOKSHOPS AND sale is still subject to the ap­ issue will be on 25 October. proval of the full City Council, Join us for a shared lunch and BOOKSTALLS but seems likely to go through. WHERE WE ARE The shop continues to offer an good company and help get So we are looking for new pre­ the magazine ready for post­ The magazine and the book­ extensive collection of books mises for the bookshop and ing. shop are at 485 Karangahape by and for women and we Rd, Auckland. We are open have a large selection of magazine. Sympathetic land agents, any wealthy women in­ from 10am to 5.30pm Mon­ badges, t-shirts, jewellery, GST day to Friday and Thursdays terested in buying a place and We hate it, but it’s with us from posters and cards. We now leasing it to us, anyone with until 8 o’clock. Saturday have secondhand books and 1 October. Subs will now have morning opening is from 10 to constructive ideas, please to include $2.90 GST and 10% some lovely silver jewellery. contact us at P.O. Box 68-026 1. The magazine’s phone Call in and browse. We offer has to go on to everything we number is 794-751 and the or phone Ak 398-895 or 794- sell in the bookshop. That 10% discount to students and 751. bookshop’s is 398-895. Our beneficiaries on new books. means that a regular subscrip­ box number is 68-026 New­ We welcome the opportun­ NEW SECTION tion to Broadsheet will cost ton, Auckland. ity to show what we stock in We started “Against All Odds”, you $31.90 and we have to do the bookshop, and of course it a page of positive gains made the work to send the money to ADVERTISING also helps us. If you are having by feminists, last month. We the tax department. Our advertising rates are very a seminar, workshop or meet­ intend to run it about every competitive. Display ads are ing, please get in touch with second month, in response to $80 a quarter page, $160 a us. comments that a lot of what

4 Broadsheet, October 1986 RFHIND THF NFWS K

NO LONGER JUST HOME ECONOMICS

Photo: Diane Goodwillie

Diane Goodwillie, with 29 other women, went to a Papua New Guinea workshop that wrote a new handbook for non-formal women’s education.

Society is changing rapidly. Why are women told food pre­ women from Papua Mew women’s education being a We must know what is hap­ paration and cleaning clothes Guinea at a recent one week priority for funding. And those pening. What is being said in is women’s work when in the workshop titled Mew Direc­ that do exist mostly teach videos? How are women’s hospital kitchen and laundry tions in Mon-Formal Educa­ home economics courses that rural chores changing? What men are paid cash to do these tion For Women, sponsored have changed little in 20 years. legal right does a woman have jobs? What is a man's respon­ by the Educational Research Despite constitutional if her husband starts living with sibility towards his family and unit of the University of Papua clauses that guarantee equal another woman? Why are why does he spend so much Mew Guinea. rights to women, and policy in­ there so few women agricul­ of his cash on alcohol and Few non-formal education tended to increase equal par­ ture officers when women pro­ gambling? These and other programmes exist for women ticipation in all areas, many vide the food for their families? “hot” questions occupied 30 in Papua Mew Guinea, despite political and ecomonic

Broadsheet, October 1986 5 changes have victimised women. tp change. We must look care­ Formal education was fully at what causes problems started in the colonial era, and educate women and girls often by colonial women who as well as men and boys about saw men as “breadwinners” them.” and women as “housewives”. A group at the 1985 Goroka Much women’s education Non-Formal Education Con­ trained Papua Mew Guinea’s ference identified over 25 cur­ women to become good rent problems facing women wives, mothers and house­ today. These included keepers, passive rather than polygamy, gambling, al­ active in their communities. coholism, mismanagement of Little or no value was given to small family incomes, women’s agricultural and adequate fuel, safe water, mar­ other productive work while riage problems, sexual as­ men’s work and social role sault, desertion by migrant was given more importance. husbands, lack of family plan­ This workshop set out to re­ ning education, household view and update the content of crowding in urban areas, low non-formal education prog­ status and heavy subsistence rammes for women. It de­ Two days after the start of like “what housing benefits do workloads in rural areas. In the veloped alternative teaching the workshop a team from female civil servants get?” “Do vocational centres and educ- aids and materials for use in Skul Bilong Wokim Piksa in men think that women doing tional institutions, in women’s women’s groups, village de­ Goroka arrived to take direc­ subsistence gardening are fellowship groups and coun­ velopment centres and voca­ tion from the participants so working?” "What are the cils of women, who is dealing tional training centres. Careful that a video would be created police procedures when with this? Western styled notes about critical issues identifying issues and planting someone reports a domestic home economics courses were prepared, case studies il­ questions in the minds of vie­ dispute?” “How much sales have divided and closeted lustrating the teaching points wers about the changes affect­ are done by female market females for many years... but were identified and in the after­ ing their lives. Eight topics will vendors and what problems finally at the end of the noons small groups be covered: education, media, does she face?” women’s decade, Papua New brainstormed about practical health, technology and tools, Elizabeth Cox, one of the or­ Guinea women are not only exercises to use within the business, women’s work and ganisers for the workshop had examining and questioning classroom or women’s club. production, violence and the this to say: “Although equal but also beginning to create a law, women’s organisations, participation of men and new approach to learning and Some of these ideas were participation and politics. development. □ tested out. Slide shows, women seems to be a funda­ Witin two months of the work­ mental national policy, it does movies and videos about shop all participants will have women’s domestication and not seem to be seriously taken copies of the half hour video up by educators. We cannot sexuality were discussed as and by December 1986 the re­ possible resource materials simply accept women’s posi­ Workshop Contact: source book will be available. tion as it appears or as it is Elizabeth Cox, for groups. Videos rented at The final day of the work­ Educational Research Officer, the Mt Hagen video club were stereotyped. We must critically shop found the participants analyse the changing role of University of Papua New Guinea, viewed (with some shock) and wandering the streets of Mt Box 320, analysed for the message they women, asking women about University P.O., Hagen (trailed by the video their situation, their problems National Capital District, portrayed about women. It team) discussing questions seems that videos available in and how they would like things Papua New Guinea. PMG are the only teachers of sex education. Parents don’t know how, education officials say it's the parents’ responsi­ bility while on school and vil­ lage videos, violence, racism, EQUAL PAY male power and sexual domi­ nation unobtrusively shape at­ titudes. Newspaper advertisements, The campaign’s hotting up again. Elizabeth Pritchett reports. cartoons and articles were examined with the conclusion that newspapers are giving negative images of women The Equal Pay Act of 1972 was miss out on higher positions; court for equal pay and lost. and more efforts like the PNG supposed to ensure women and we can lack union con­ Times comic “The Triumphs The Council for Equal Pay and got paid the same as men, but sciousness and bargaining Opportunity was set up in of Tessie” are needed. Many of today they get only 74% of strength. the ads are directly imported 1957 and won equal pay for men s wages. There are sev­ Then there’s the old con­ the public sector, which was from overseas and use white eral reasons: women occupy a cept of a “family wage”, based women in suggestive poses. phased in between 1960 and narrow range of occupations on the assumption that a man 1965. Many other women’s or­ “Nearly all advertising agen­ — 54% of women work in five works to support a non-earn­ cies in Papua New Guinea are ganisations have fought for it. major categories that are seen ing wife and children, al­ foreign owned and managed The current phase of the cam­ as “women’s work”. We work though this grouping is no paign is fighting for equal pay and since advertising pays for in the lower grades, our work longer common. the paper, newspaper editors for work of equal value, a con­ doesn’t get bonuses as often; The struggle for equal pay cept similar to the “compara­ with sensitivity have difficult childrearing responsibilities has gone on for a long time. In choices to make,” said Anna ble work" campaigns in Eng­ mean we are more likely to the 1940s, the Clerical Work­ land and America. Solomon, editor of Wantok work part-time and have gaps Nius. ers Gnion took the employers Following a meeting in Wel­ in our paid work records so we organisation of the time to lington, an equal pay meeting 4 Broadsheet, October 1986 changes, which will extend the In comparing work, sexist recorded an unprecedented in Auckland in June called by process to more than a year. values of caring for machines number of strikes last year, the Working Women's Re­ Equal pay campaigners and or money rather than humans and more disputes centre on source Centre drew about 40 researchers believe there is can discriminate against tradi­ equal pay for equal value work. women from a variety of enough information about tional women’s jobs. Therese Boarding school workers’ backgrounds. Therese gender and pay differences for said she asked a class of award negotiations broke O’Connell and Evana Belich the government to act now, school children whether a down early this year and about from the Clerical Workers but the Labour Departments nurse or a truck driver were 200 workers went on strike for Gnion spoked about the is­ delaying tactics will mean no more important, and a small equal pay with school clean­ sues involved in equal pay and official action until after the boy said the truck driver be­ ers. Cleaners were getting the history of moves towards next elections. equal pay in Aotearoa. Activity cause he is responsible for a $6.83 an hour, while boarding school workers received only The New Zealand Nurse’s on equal pay is happening in very expensive rig. “Women’s Association will present a case work” is widely regarded as $5.03 an hour. After five days, Auckland, Wellington and soon to the Higher Salaries other centres. non-productive, especially they accepted the employers’ housework, voluntary work offer of $6.04, about an 18% Commission for the chief Evana summarised the nurse of the Auckland Hospital and childrearing, and the paid increase. case the Clerical Workers Board to get pay equal to her jobs which use similar skills. The Equal Pay Review Gnion took to the Arbitration associate board members, the Therese said “Equal value Committee didn’t meet in Court in February to show the means a revolutionary look at 1982 as was scheduled, show­ chief executive and the medi­ limitations of the Equal Pay ing the lack of official interest cal superintendent. She re­ Act. Their 80 page submission society, where things to do with people are properly val­ in the issue. The government ceives only $58,000, while the said the principle of equal other two get around $82,000. ued.” response this year has been to value was embodied in section The Employers’ Federation fund a $60,000 plus Depart­ At the moment, the chief three of the act and the origi­ believe we already have equal ment of Labour study on how nurse is paid by the Health nal policy-making body be­ pay, and like the young boy, to achieve equal pay. The first Services Personnel Commis­ lieved it would be in the act. think that economic factors tenders were asked for in May, sion, and if she won parity, her The pointed out a 25% gap be­ alone should determine rela­ but since then, the department pay would be set by the Higher tween men and women, and tive values. The concept has retendered and reor­ Salaries Commission. An in­ the erosion of historical re­ they’re pushing now is for the ganised the study into three crease in the chief nurses’ sal­ lativities between male clerical employer’s ability to pay to be phases, the first two at least to ary would have implications workers and skilled trades­ taken into account in wage be tendered separately. The for the whole profession. people. But the definition of negotiations. (See “Labour first phase is to identify the in­ Anyone interested in supJ equal pay differs between the Market Flexibility” July/Aug. formation needed to decide porting the Auckland Equal preamble and the body of the Broadsheet, No 141) action about equal pay, and Pay campaign can contact the act, which doesn’t include the Women have been recep­ determine whether any new Working Women’s Resource concept of equal value, and tive to the idea of equal pay for studies have to be done. The Centre, ph 762-156, Private the court’s answer had to be work of equal value, and our Labour Department has not Bag, Newton. □ bound by the second defini­ industrial strength is growing. consulted the equal pay steer­ tion. The court found the case The Clerical Workers Gnion ing committee about these was outside their jurisdiction under the act. Therese said that to get equal pay we also need freely available childcare, men shar­ ing domestic tasks, women in non-traditional jobs and the LESBIAN/GAY TEACHERS status of traditional women's jobs upgraded. “Comparable work" or ORGANISE “equal pay for equal value” means comparing traditional women’s jobs with men’s jobs. The criteria used for compari­ son in Canada include skill, ef­ their working experiences and ants talked about ways of con­ fort and responsibility, and in The first national gathering of actions they might take for tinuing public education Britain skill, effort and deci­ lesbians and gays in teaching support. Most people who about lesbians and gays. Two sion. In Britain recently, an was organised by a small came worked in secondary Auckland lesbians were inter­ outside consultant was called group of Wellington lesbians and gays and held at Victoria schools; many were going on viewed for the Lesbian Prog­ in to compare a trainee cook to the Post Primary Teachers ramme on access radio. In the and a shipbuilder’s jobs, and Gniversity during the August Association (PPTA) confer­ afternoon there was a big the factors taken into account school holidays. The confer­ ence was organised at short ence, which started the day workshop on classism and ra­ included numeracy, responsi­ cism. bility for cash, physical notice and poorly advertised, this one ended. Three lesbians who had The group decided to con­ hazards and lifting. The trainee at least in Auckland. Around been involved in the campaign centrate on building closer cook’s job has more lifting and 50 people from around the to get rights for lesbian and networks in their own areas; the greater physical hazard of country, mostly lesbians and gay teachers supported by the along the lines of the lesbian intense heat in the workplace almost all Fakeha, came to the weekend. The venue was very PPTA discussed how the cam­ teachers group currently that can make cooks faint un­ paign had been organised. meeting in Auckand. Particip­ less they take salt tablets. In hard to find, partly because the The New Zealand Education ants wanted the support of a Australia the latest equal value signs giving directions were Institute (NZEI) for primary similar conference next year* decision assessed working regularly ripped down. The gathering was informal, school teachers, has no open to lesbian and gay pa­ conditions, skill and effort. specific policy of support for rents and students, and in a “Equal value shakes the whole with an agenda set by particip­ lesbian and gay teachers ex­ more encouraging environ­ concept of relativity, said ants after they arrived. On the cept for its adoption of the ment for lesbians and gays Therese, “and I think there are first day they divided into kin­ dergarten, primary, secondary Working Women's Charter. from other cultures. □ a lot of people who don t want On the second day, particip- Jenny Rankine. to talk about it.” and tertiary areas, and shared

Broadsheet, October 1986 7 ence recommends that . . . dations were passed with only where resource material about three or four votes against, Judie Alison outlines the progress of the PPTA homosexuality is used in which suggests that a lot of schools it should be presented hard work must have been discussion paper on lesbian and homosexual positively.” done at branch and regional teachers. Heterosexual teachers levels of the union to carry the seemed to have trouble seeing vote in support of the paper, that heterosexuality is pre­ and to ensure that opponents The failure of the human intimidation and harassment, sented positively in schools were not elected as delegates rights sections of the including harassment on the now, and that this motion was to the conference. Homosexual Law Reform Bill grounds of sexuality or sup­ simply asking for the same for The only major speech has made it more important to posed sexuality.. . ” homosexuality. Movers of the against the paper was from fight discrimination on the paper, under this pressure, Bruce Logan of Orewa Col­ basis of sexuality in work envi­ A proposal for negotiations changed the word "positively” lege, who said there were two on new leave provisions met ronments. Action in the PPTA to “in ways that will enhance widely divergent views in soci­ could serve as a model for with unanimous support. It re­ understanding and accep­ ety on what was normal and commended that cumulative other unions. tance of homosexuals and les­ abnormal, and that the paper, At the 1985 PPTA confer­ compassionate leave replace bians , and with that change in asking schools to affirm les­ the present leave for family ence a lesbian caucus raised the recommendation was car­ bians and homosexuals, was reasons, to be in addition to the issue of rights for lesbian ried. Peter Verner of Auckland imposing a change of attitude. sick leave. Leave for family and homosexual teachers and pointed out that if the recom­ He said schools should reflect suggested that a working party reasons currently assumes a mendation had said “fun­ community values, not those nuclear family household, and of lesbian and homosexual damentalist Christians” in­ of a minority or majority of teachers write a paper for the tends to discriminate against stead of “homosexuals and teachers, and that schools 1986 conference. All the re­ lesbian and homosexual lesbians”, they would still want should not be accepting envi­ teachers and others whose re­ commendations in the paper to pass it. ronments for homosexuals, were passed by the confer­ lationships do not fit this A working party of lesbian although compassion for model. ence. They require action at all and homosexual teachers will them was acceptable. levels of the union, from head Individual members of the write a discussion paper on However, this view was office down to individual union were asked to combat heterosexism for the 1987 countered many times over. the use of derogatory lan­ members. A report will be pre­ conference. Heterosexism Suzanne Jungersen of Wel­ pared for the 1987 conference guage about lesbians and was described as prejudice in lington said it was a matter of on progress in implementing homosexuals, and guidance favour of heterosexual at­ self-esteem, and that failure to the recommendations. counsellors are to be edu­ titudes and behavior at the ex­ pass the paper would result in The first recommendation cated in the needs of pense of those with alternative lesbian and homosexual stu­ asked the PPTA executive to homosexual and lesbian stu­ identities. This working party dents “shuffling through life dents. negotiate with the Department will review progress in remov­ while others walk tall”. Shona of Education to have changes The recommendation ing discrimination against les­ Hearn of Auckland said “we about which most controversy made in statutory, regulatory bian and homosexual want schools to be places and administrative provisions centred, both in branch and teachers for the 1988 confer­ which affirm the rights of so that it does not discriminate regional debates and at the ence. everyone who works and on the grounds of sexuality. conference, was “This confer- Virtually all the recommen- studies there.” □ The executive will also ask for a more exact definiton of the terms “unfitness” and “unbe­ coming conduct” in the Edu­ cation Act, under which at­ tempts can be made to fire a CHINESE LESBIANS MEET teacher. The working party felt that the vagueness of these terms posed a threat to all A report from a Chinese lesbian weekend, held at Whanganui-a-tara teachers, but especially les­ bian and homosexual (Wellington) in April. teachers, who could become the targets of homophobic board members. “I remember when I first came articles and poetry about this country. We cooked for The union’s own code of out. I knew of no other Chinese Asian women; ate huge quan­ ethics will be amended by each other, ate lots of rice, lis­ dykes or Asian feminists, a tities of toasted sandwiches tened to Merle Woo on tape, making it unethical to dis­ situation which left me at followed by many cups of tea, criminate against colleagues reggae by the fire, danced and times feeling somewhat out- then began slowly to talk laughed together at the club, or students on the grounds of of-place, isolated and more about who we are and why we sexuality. The fourth recom­ feeling unusually relaxed, queer' than usual.” had come to the gathering. walked on the beach and sat mendation passed means that Perhaps for the first time in The next two days flowed branches (teachers in indi­ by the blue-grey sea musing the herstory of Aotearoa, eight more easily as more women about lovers. vidual schools) will be Chinese lesbians and a arrived, and we went for negotiating with their own And suddenly it was time to Japanese lesbian met for a yumcha to indulge our senses wind up, feed back and say re­ boards of governors on behalf weekend gathering. Friday and bellies. Back to talk more, of lesbian and homosexual luctant goodbyes with prom­ morning saw six of us at the covering issues like coming ises to each other that we teachers. They are asked to Wellington lesbian club. There out, being Chinese and get a guarantee from their would get together in the sum­ was a definite air of unsure­ Chinese lesbians, our families, mer. boards that the job security ness and newness, which relationships, racism, where and right to work of teachers “I suppose I had initially gradually disappeared as the we are now and what our thought that in calling a meet­ will not be jeopardised on ac­ weekend progressed. priorities are. We listened to count of their sexuality, and a ing such as this one, we would We started with introduc­ Hiro’s herstory, her experi­ naturally come together as a commitment by the boards to tions and welcome, sharing ences and ideas as a Japanese maintain the school free from group because of how we folders of resource material, lesbian feminist travelling in identified ourselves. Instead, I 8 Broadsheet, October 1986 ------l ■" .... could meet. Feminist teachers, nurses and artists, therapists, community house workers, sportswomen, and university women’s studies tutors all used this opportun­ ity- “Carry it on , a song adapted to a Joan Baez tune by the Women’s Subcommit­ tee Choir of the Wellington Trades Council, was sung near the beginning and the end of the gathering. The Gov- ett-Brewster Art Gallery opened on Saturday evening for conference goers to see the exhibitions by Taranaki photographer Fiona Clark and Australian feminist artist Davida Allen. The wealth of Photo: Hiro Kamimura Taranaki talent at the Saturday concert provided great enter­ “The gathering was the best “1 look forward to sharing found that there was lots of tainment, with Christine groundwork to be done, lots of single thing that had hap­ knowledge of ourselves as pened for me in years. Not so Asian/Chinese lesbians, to Quinn’s inspired blues piano talking and sharing to get to being especially popular. much what we did (the meal building up resource materials know one another and lots of A paper on the Parker- we cooked and ate and the about ourselves, both here in differences to acknowledge." Hulme schoolgirl murder case “Before this gathering, 1 had night at the club were great) or Aotearoa and other countries. who was or wasn't there — but 1 look forward to standing up of 1954, entitled “Mad, Bad or never really felt completely at Neither”, attracted good num­ home’ with any group of simply that we were there (we and making myself visible at last.” bers. Julie Glamuzina and Ali­ women. With Pakeha lesbian are here!).’ son Laurie are currently writ­ feminists, I had felt unaffirmed “Through this experience I “...that there is a real group discovered that 1 identified my­ of Chinese lesbians in New ing a book on the subject, and as a Chinese. With Chinese they presented some of their heterosexual women, how­ self as an Asian woman and 1 Zealand. Despite our differ­ felt sympathy for Asian ences, I am excited by the findings and drew on particip­ ever, 1 had felt unaffirmed as a ants’ memories of the case. lesbian. But with these women women who live in Western thought — Yes, we are here!" at this gathering, 1 felt for the countries and are subjected to □ Hilary Page’s workshop first time affirmation as a racism. 1 had never throught “Movement and Bodywork to Chinese, feminist and les­ about this in Japan, where just The Chinese lesbian group can be con­ Illustrate Power Relationships” bian.” one race exists.” tacted through Broadsheet. used action methods to focus on power in intimate relation­ ships. As was the case with a number of workshops which restricted numbers, it had to be run a second time. “The Politics of Pornog­ HERE’S LOOKING AT CIS raphy” by Christine Cheyne and Allanah Ryan proved a popular paper, and raised some new perspectives on the The Women’s Studies Conference, one of the few national annual pornography debate. 1 hey women’s gatherings, happened this year in the shadow of Taranaki. claimed that currently the de­ bate is about the politics of Jenny Rankine gives her impressions, assisted by information from outrage, in which anger is the Judie Alison. motivating force, and pornog­ raphy is seen as a symbol of defeat. This offers relief, but causes a shift away from criti­ feminist ways of sharing eluded a brief karanga, sing­ Around 300 women came to cal analysis. It also exagger­ knowledge non-hierarchically. ing Karangatia Ra and a long the New Plymouth Girls High ates the power of pornog­ Areas like historical research hongi line. On the first morn­ School in August to enjoy two raphy, and they felt it was not days of stimulating and varied and education were less in evi­ ing everyone was divided ran­ domly into small groups so in our long term interests. workshops, papers, videos, dence this time. They said the view of porno­ There were no papers or that women at their first con­ meetings, good food and un­ graphy as the root of our op­ workshops offered which con­ ference could get to know usual New Plymouth sun­ pression overstates the cent­ centrated on the experiences other women and find out shine. This was the ninth New rality of sex, and ignores such of Maori women or women things they needed to know. Zealand Women’s Studies oppressive institutions as from other non—pakeha cul­ A room for Maori women Conference. Topics covered motherhood and marriage tures. As usual, workshops and one for lesbians were pro­ included work, lesbian issues, and the social and economic relationships, violence, litera­ varied in quality. No particular vided and proved useful and provision was made to cater relaxing spaces. Each learning structures that make women ture and theory. There were dependent on the sex market. for women with disabilities. session lasted for one and a fewer total topics offered than They saw the anti-pornog­ The organisers wanted to half hours, which meant some at previous conferences, and a raphy movement as accepting encourage a diverse and fun bleary eyed early starts. The higher proportion of work­ the ideas that women need to shops compared to academic conference and started this off organisers also provided a time on Saturday afternoon be protected from men, that papers. This reflects, in part, a on the Friday evening with a we are the moral guardians, greater awareness of Pakeha relaxed welcome which in- where special interest groups

Broadsheet, October 1986 9 and that male/female sexuality workers. It was suggested that The 1987 conference will are polar opposites, with men the next award be given to a This conference was one of being vicious brutes and be held in Dunedin. Each one the best organised and relaxed Maori women’s project, and is organised by a different, au­ women passive victims. the way in which the fund is that I have been to. It was also They insisted that the stress tonomous group of women. monocultural, which is one of advertised and awarded be re­ This provides some advan­ should not be on content or viewed next year. the reasons I, as a Pakeha, felt explicitness, but on the view of tages — sharing organising comfortable. There has been a Several remits were passed experience and workload, ex­ sexual relations portrayed. in the final session. The con­ lot of debate about racism at pressing regional differences the last several conferences, They used the example of the ference supported the inclu­ and decentralising the confer­ yet except for the 1985 Hamil­ video “I Spit on Your Grave”, sion of sexual orientation ence. The disadvantages are ton conference plenary ses­ frequently cited as hard-core within coverage of human pornography, which can be the discontinuity in organisa­ sions, they have all been rights legislation, and efforts tion and approaches and the seen as having a strongly anti- monocultural. This reflects by unions and workers to get slowness of changes. The sexual violence message. both the networks of the employers to agree not to dis­ Hew Plymouth women will be feminist groups which or­ They saw the anti-pornog­ criminate on the grounds of sending copious notes to ganise the conferences, and raphy movement as one sexual orientation. The lesbian the Pakeha-based agenda of which women couldn’t belong caucus was concerned that women’s studies as a discip­ to if their desires don’t fit. there was little reference dur­ The only workshop about line. Organising a separate hui ing the conference to the fai­ for Maori women is one way rural women was run by Jenny lure to enact the anti-discrimi­ Simpson of Inglewood and around this, but it can take the nation part of the Homosexual pressure away from changing Danna Glendinriing from the Law Reform Bill, and that Wairarapa. They pointed out the Pakeha agenda of some workshops failed to women’s studies, and it offers that August was the worst time build on last year’s conference in the farming year for women little to women from other cul­ themes of heterosexism and tures. to leave the land and travel to racism. The caucus also re­ conferences. They dispelled commended that conference I am hesitant to make criti­ some of the urban myths organisers ensure that the out­ cisms about racism, because about farmers and outlined line of all papers and work­ they tend to fall into the moral the organising rural women shops describes clearly the "shoulds” and the guilt-trip­ have been doing, like the limits of experience being pre­ Dunedin. The association has ping atmosphere which sur­ Women in Agriculture net­ sented. encouraged conference or­ rounds the issue in feminist work, and the pilot Farmline The conference supported ganisers to take notes and circles. This is the atmosphere telephone counselling project equal pay for work of equal send them to the next group, that tended to form during in Taranaki. value and condemned the but it would help continuity if challenges about racism at the Pat Rosier’s workshop on a government’s delay in starting the passing on of information conference, and it disturbs feminist critique of assertive­ its equal pay study. It also ex­ about improvements, me. Ho-one learns or changes ness training attracted about pressed women’s anger at the perspectives and approaches positively through guilt; I find 45 women. It questioned the Pathologists Society’s prop­ that were useful was a definite self-interest a much stronger assumptions that underlie osal to charge women an extra part of the conference or­ motivation. I want to hear the some assertiveness courses: $15 for each cervical smear ganisers’ task. perspectives and ideas of that if we ask for things prop­ test. It felt women were being Each conference reflects women from cultures other erly we will get them; that it's used as a tool in the the research and activity of than Pakeha in women’s easy to know what we want to pathologists’ negotiations with feminists around the country. studies; it loses strength and change; that there is goodwill government. “We didn’t organise the pap­ insight without them. on the other side; that there is ers and workshops,” said I am also feeling increas­ equal power between indi­ An anti-racism workshop Karen Johns, a member of the ingly uncomfortable with the vidual women and the recommended that the WSA conference core group. “We lengthening feminist list of op­ partners or people they need share its resources with Maori encouraged focus on the pressions — sexism, racism, to be assertive with. women and establish an anti- themes of racism and heterosexism, classism, able- The conference has be­ racism group within the as­ heterosexism, but we also wel­ bodyism, agism — and the come a forum for feminist sociation. it suggested that a comed diversity. If few women way we are all divided into women in institutions to report levy be added to the associa­ are taking a bicultural goodies and baddies on the what their institution is and tion membership and confer­ perspective in their women’s basis of where we stand with isn’t doing for women gener­ ence fees that could be distri­ studies work during the year, each. This way of seeing the ally, and to share some of the buted to Maori women. The this will show in the papers and world was dominant at the resources and networks they workshop recommended that workshops they run at the conference, at least at the final have developed. Women from the next conference reflect a conference.” session, and I am increasingly the Women’s Ministry, the bicultural perspective, prom­ Everyone works together in finding it confusing and un­ Labour Department’s Positive ote anti-racism workshops smaller centres like Hew helpful in understanding our Action Programme, the and investigate, with Maori Plymouth, and in looking for position as women. It is used Human Rights Commission, women, an alternative hui run people with special skills to to focus on our personal be­ universities and adult educa­ at the same time for Maori draw on, it is a matter of calling haviour, instead of the struc­ women. tion centres ran sessions to do on individuals, not specialist tures that keep us from power. this. Women’s Ministry staff re­ Both the lesbian caucus groups as would be the case in It creates a feminist moral ported an encouraging re­ and the anti-racism workshop the big cities, Karen said. “The hierarchy, and a self-righteous sponse to their workshop, but suggested that the aims of the conference reflected our local attitude to those on the other little meaty criticism of the association, first written in way of working. We talked a lot side of our particular oppres­ ministry’s role and plans. 1979, be reviewed to include about biculturalism as a sed group. It’s important for us an awareness of racism, group, but a lot of ideas to be aware of which groups At the Women’s Studies As­ heterosexism and classism. seemed forced and artificial, sociation (WSA) AGM held on are still invisible or unheard in Ways to put these ideas into and wouldn’t reflect where we our movement, but a moral Friday night, the $500 Rosem­ practise will be discussed in are on the path towards bicul­ hierarchy of multiplying op­ ary Seymour annual award the quarterly WSA newsletter, turalism. We tried to have an was presented to Helen May, pressions won’t help us create which will be sent to all mem­ open door,to ensure women clear strategy for women’s for transcribing and editing in­ bers and conference particip­ felt welcome. It is more than terviews with early childcare ants. studies or any other feminist just counting Maori faces.” activity. □

10 Broadsheet, October 1986 KATE SHEPPARD’S O N THE M O VE 3>i

JT Karen Brown writes about the women’s bookshop in Christchurch. ;; ; f,y are books by nuns! — they Four years after it opened its were also involved in the doors at 202A High Street, launch locally of Sue The Kate Sheppard Women’s Kedgley’s The Sexual Wilder­ Bookshop is leaving... for big­ ness). They are a familiar sighlt ger and better premises with their bookstalls at about two minutes walk from women’s gatherings... and at a its present location. wide range of venues through­ I talked to Joy, one of the out the community, including partners in the bookshop, Christchurch Teachers' Col­ about the reasons for the lege and the Polytechnic. move and the features of Kate Joy Lloyd, Erin McGifford, Sheppard’s that make it stand Noreen Penny and Anne Row­ out from other local book­ lands are business partnership) shops. Steadily increasing pat­ this all-women venture. ronage (turnover is now three times what it was in 1982) and Each has a vested interest in a lack of space are the main the success of the business. reasons behind the move.^a Their decision-making is done decision that was made before by consensus on any major is­ discovering that their old shop sues ... in the day to day deêi- is under threat due to the mas­ sion-making there is a policy sive demolition-construction of having at least two partnets job going on on the other side agree on any particular issue. of the shop wall. The shop they The four women meet regu­ are taking over at 145 Man­ larly to discuss things that chester Street will be open come up in the running of the longer hours and will require shop — like the shift to new the four co-owners to put a lot premises... and the purchase more energy into a project that of their first “real” cash regis­ even now takes up a lot of their ter. They decided the rieto time. shop should be adorned by a Joy, Noreen, Anne and Erin suitably high tech monby From left: Joy Lloyd. Erin McGifford. Ann Rowlands. Noreen Penny. machine... rather than the cut­ initially got together through a Photo: Karen Brown shared interest in women's lery drawer that has been their spirituality... and decided to sues and be guaranteed of a wanting to express their cash container for the last five begin a business partnership Sympathetic ear. It's also the spirituality outside the tradi­ years! to answer a need for local only place in Christchurch that tions of the Christian church, Joy acknowledges the as­ women. Their business pro­ carries any kind of range in Joy considers this part of the sistance of the women (and vides what is in several ways a women's music from over­ shop to have particular impor­ men) who helped in the big unique service for women in seas. tance. She thinks that women shift and also their regular vol­ Christchurch and those that As a bookshop run by in this position are aware of unteers who help out in the travel through the city. Cus­ feminists, Kate Sheppard’s what Kate Sheppard's has to shop. She says that despite the tomers know that there will al­ carries stock on subject areas offer in that respect... and says fact that the bookshop is mov­ ways be a woman behind the that may not be considered they keep coming back for ing on to bigger and better counter... something that is acceptable or even relevant by more! things, they would not be able important, particularly for many other bookshops... for Kate Sheppard's has also to continue providing the ser­ women seeking information example there is a com­ played a big role in the local vice they do without the sup­ on personal subjects — prehensive selection of books women’s movement by at­ port and encouragement bf perhaps sexuality, violence on women’s sexuality and also tracting women to Christ­ local women. In the present against women, or health novels, poetry and non-fiction church who may not other­ economic climate (dominated questions. They also know by lesbian writers. Something wise come here. Part of this is by Douglas-inspired disasters) that Kate Sheppard’s is more else that is rare amongst to do with their support of nothing can be taken fdr than just another bookseller “mainstream” bookshops is book launches by feminist au­ granted, and the larger shop — it is one of the focal points the section on women's thors. Recent launches or­ and longer hours mean for women in a city with no spirituality ... with material ganised and publicised by the higher overheads... in other women's centre... the shop ranging from Christian shop include Nancy Manna- words, it vital that the number acts as a referral centre, infor­ feminism to goddess spiritual­ han’s Lesbian Nuns and of women coming into the mation dispenser and as ,a ity and wicca. Because there is Pauline O’Regan’s A Chang­ shop keeps on growing. place for women to discuss is­ so little support for women ing Order (not all the launches

Broadsheet, October 1986 11 WORKING PARTY ON DPI \GS

Cathie Menzies talked to Pat Rosier

The Women’s Working Party treatment programme that on Women and Drug Use evaluation of use of the kit over was started in the late seven­ a total of 278 sessions showed (WWP) was formed in March ties. People working in the ad­ 1985 because women work­ that 50% were presented to diction field had become women s and other commun­ ing in the area of substance aware that the causes of ad­ abuse were becoming con­ ity groups, 25% were used as diction were different for part of ongoing treatment cerned that the special needs women and that they had dif­ of women were not being rec­ programmes, 19% were to ferent treatment needs from health and social service pro­ ognised or met. They felt also men. The programme covers that women working in the fessionals and 12% to educa­ assertiveness training, stress tional facilities. The title of the area needed a forum for management, family liaison and support. resourse, which was chosen dynamics, sexuality, and sex­ as an example of how ual abuse. Community Al­ WWP acts as a group where women’s concerns are treated cohol Services in Auckland as trivial, reflects the beliefs areas of concern to women has begun to work towards a can be collectively discussed behind it. An increased aware­ similar type of service for ness that women’s addiction and acted on. They use a con­ women by starting a one-day- sensus style, which means problems are different from a-week programme at Car­ men’s is linked with a move to that decision making and re­ rington Hospital. sponsibility is shared. Group look on such problems as Side Effects is a show that linked to a social context, and members are predominantly was toured throughout Pakeha women working in the its accompanying pressures, Canada by a women's theatre rather than justr as individual area of substance abuse, deal­ group. It consisted of a series which have been a huge suc­ concerns. “It’s Just Your ing with issues of prevention, of skits and songs making cess. A treatment task group Nerves” presents the question education and treatment. specific points about sub­ has put out a pamphlet “A of women and substance use stance abuse and its social Guide for Women With Al­ in relation to women’s social AIMS and political implications for The Working Party’s aims in­ cohol and/or Drug Related role and the conditions of their women. In every centre where daily lives. clude recognising differences problems in Auckland 1986”, the show was put on a group Plans for a similar resource of culture, sexual orientation and done a report on women’s was formed to organise a and class among women, treatment needs in Auckland. for New Zealand are already venue, do promotion, sell tic­ under way. The Working Party political lobbying for change WWP has facilitated and en­ kets and billet players (shades couraged the opening of a applied to and received fund­ and working at grass roots of the Broadsheet Road women’s house which will ing from the Interdepartmen­ level. They wish to promote re­ Show). The same group is search in the area of women house to up eight women who tal Committee on Substance given a kit on arranging meet­ Abuse to employ a worker to and substance abuse using have completed treatment or ings so they can respond to methods where the particip­ counselling. It will eventually develop a local kit based on the interest aroused by the this model. Anyone interested ants are actively involved. A provide accommodation for show. These groups then form partners of drug abusers and in applying for this job should key aim is to “Actively ensure the nodes in a national net­ children needing to get out of contact Ingrid at Auckland the differing needs of women work for distributing further in­ in treatment are acknow­ situations of violence or abuse 686-111. at short notice. formation. WWF have sent for ledged, and their implementa­ the script of this show and SUPPORT tion given priority. We aim to would be interested to hear For one day every six weeks see treatment programmes “IT’S JUST YOUR NERVES” from any women’s theatre there is a meeting in Auckland. set up for women by women, A seminar of this name, held in group that could be interested operating on an empower­ Auckland in May, was an im­ in performing it. Some women come from ment model.” portant event organised by the Hamilton and Tauranga. Most “It’s just your nerves” is a re­ interested women are able to group. It brought together source kit that was developed ACTIONS many women working in the get time from work to attend, in Canada to deal with the although some have prob­ In November 1985 WWP sent area to workshops and issue of women’s use of minor two women to a conference strategy sessions around the lems getting away from their tranquillisers and alcohol. The workplace for this purpose. on women and alcohol/drug themes of prevention, educa­ kit consists of a facilitators’ abuse in Melbourne. From tion, intervention and treat­ There is a regular group of 15- guidebook, women’s stories, a 20 women but all women that the Working Party has ment. Dr Robyn McKinley, 21 panel flipchart and a video, applied to the Alcoholic Liquor who spent time in Canada in working in the area of women “All In The Same Boat”. Train­ and drug and alcohol use are Advisory Council (ALAC) for 1985 looking at substance ing sessions on using the re­ funding for a New Zealand abuse programmes for welcome at the meetings. Re­ sources were offered with the ferral guides are available conference. women, was the guest material. They have made submis­ speaker. She talked about from Jennifer Hewitt, Auck­ The kit was developed for land Hospital Board Co-or­ sions to the working party re­ three of the programmes that use by both community and viewing liquor laws, had a ra­ she had seen in Canada: the dinator for alcohol services, professional people to stimu­ phone Auckland 496-013. cism workshop, and encour­ Amethyst Women's Addiction late the exploration of age non-alcoholic functions. Centre; a play. Side Effects; The Women’s Working women’s substance use in a Party on Women and Drug Some of the women involved and a resource kit, “It’s Just group setting. It is a broadly in the Working Party have Your Nerves”. use can be contacted through based educational resource P.O. Box 46444 Auckland, or taken part in running non-al­ The Amethyst Centre oper­ which can be used in a wide coholic dances in Auckland Ingrid on Auckland 686-111. ates a woman-only outpatient range of contexts. Indeed, □ 12 Broadsheet, October 1986 OFFERS COURSES IN a®0 THE SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

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Broadsheet, October 1986 13 offices of cent­ glish, pausing often to cover her mouth in to go back to school when lam 15. But I ral Wellington embarrassment. She’s never heard of this are largely white still look after them then. My grandmother magazine Broadsheet. She plucked up write a letter tb my uncle — would it be al­ during the day­ the courage to suggest I do not use her light hours. At night the white is sleeping right if he ebb pay my fare and then I can name. come over and stay here. and the black gets up to work. In my build­ TM was born in Western Samoa. She ing it worked like this anyway and it seems Alison: Did you want to come here? came to New Zealand 11 years ago when TM: Yes, I want to come over here be­ generally so elsewhere with, of course, she was in her early twenties. TM says some exceptions. cause I want to see what New Zealand’s she’s not sure how old she is. Both her pa­ like. Is it all better than Samoa? I often worked in the evenings and saw rents died and no one can remember her the Polynesian workforce arrive from When I arrive on the plane and I look at date of birth. TM has never seen some of the lights I think “Oh, New Zealand's very Porirua to start their night’s work, cleaning her eight brothers and sisters. Her grand­ up after the bureaucrats. nice”, you know. But, when I wake up in mother told her that some of them live in the morning (because we come at night 5 Sometimes in the “ladies” toilets 1 Hawaii, some in New Zealand and some would sit talking to a Samoan woman, time) it s different, it looks different you remain in Western Samoa. TM now lives know. It s busy all the time, everyone who was one of the cleaners. She told me in Porirua East, about 20 minutes drive a lot about herself. Nearly a year later, just wakes up and gets ready to go to work from Wellington city where she works. and only myself in the house. And I feel a month ago, I found out she had been TM and the other cleaners in my build­ ^forced to give up her job, partly because lonely, I feel I want to go back. ing have “supper” at midnight. She and I TM says that when she arrived she of our conversations. She'd been told, as hid in an empty room, because I wanted had her workmates, not to talk to us— the spoke little English. She stayed with her to ask her questions and she had agreed uncle in Auckland and on her first day in remnants of the day's white office work­ to answer them. ers. They must keep to themselves. But New Zealand he sent her to the shops to TM: When I grew up I didn’t see any of my buy somd groceries. she had said no to this. parents alive, they both die. And I feel mis­ “I cannot work all night and not talk, I TM:lt makes rtie ashamed when I go to the erable and I feel lonely because I really shops and when I didn t see anything I get sad and I get lonely.” She persisted need a parent to love and I thought my with our friendship, even though her re­ want in the shop 1 don’t know what to say grandmother was my real mother. But to the shopkeeper. But it’s lucky, some­ jection of this petty apartheid led her to be she said something to me and she reprimanded several times by her boss. It times I can see things lying on the shelves explained what happened with my pa­ and then I can point to which one I like and culminated in an angry exchange bet­ rents — my father and my mother. She ween TM and her boss over this issue and which one I want then they give it to me. said she s not my real mother, my real Alison: Was it hard trying to make people another relating to a faulty pay cheque mother she die and my real father too. with TM walking out of that job — even understand you? When I grow up and I look at my grand­ TM: Yeah, and it’s hard to remember what though the family needed her income to mother I feel sorry. I want to see them, you survive. She got another job in another it s (the food) called you know, and the know, to see my mother and my father. food it’s different. Over there, in the Is­ building cleaning different offices at night. When I get used to staying with my She says she’s happy for me to write lands, we don’t have to cook meat all the grandmother I love them, I love them both time. We like taro for tea. We can eat down what she told me about herself. She very much. And, they send me to school, I speaks slowly, worrying about her En- bread for breakfast, but not like New Zea­ go to school but they stop me from going land... we used to eating fish... we don’t to school when I am 13 because they Photos: Gil Hanly have to eat potato all the time. We eat can t afford to pay the bill. But I really want breadfrbit1, tbfo, banana., 14 Broadsheet, October 1986 Alison: Do you worry about not being at Alison: How did you find the people? home with your kids? TM: Some they’re good, some they... I’m TM: Yes, I do worry. I need to be with them not very happy to see them because they about that time, night time, you know. not look very happy to see (she pauses)... Sometimes they bring their books to me look at us. to read but it’s about time for me to get Alison: When did that happen? ready to come to work. TM: Oh, when I first came here to New TM has worked eight hours a night, five Zealand. When I get a job in a factory it’s and occasionally six nights a week for hard for me because it's hard to under­ nearly five years. She says because they’re stand hard English words, you know. often short staffed she hasn’t had a holi­ Alison: What was the first job you had day. when you came here? TM and her family rent the house in TM: Machine. I used to sew something Porirua East where they live but for a while and then I find out it’s hard for me be­ they were staying with relatives in Wel­ cause I put my feet on the sewing lington and it was TM who finally decided machine, I feel scared, you know, it’s the they needed their own place. TM said al­ first time I’ve used that kind of a sewing though she was scared and shy she knew machine and then I ask my sister, would it she had to ask for help to find a home. be alright if she can find another job for TM: I go and see the Housing Corporation me. She said alright. Then I wait for a week and see if any people can help me to fill in then I get a job. I work at Tanner Couch the form... apply for a house. Then, me making Christmas cards. And it was good, and my kids go and see the Housing Cor­ I liked it. poration and I ask the lady in front of the 1 like it when it’s warm, you know, but in counter about the form becase we need a the winter time I don’t feel like getting up house. And she give me a form and says early in the morning and get ready to go to ‘‘you fill in that form and you bring it back work. Over there, in the Islands, I used to to the Housing Corporation.” I ask her if wear my summer dress. I don’t have to she can help me to fill in that form be­ wear any cardigan or coat. But when I am cause I can’t understand much in English over here I wear cardigan and 1 feel funny and she said “alright I will help you”, be­ to wear a heavy coat on me. I still wear it cause at that time there’s not many because 1 feel cold. people there, you know. We go back TM is now married and has five children home and wait and wait and wait and one — three sons and twin daughters — who day I got a telegram from them. They said all go to school. Her husband works dur­ “you got a house” then I’m happy, you ing the day. TM travels to work on a bus know. But, we need a house because the from Porirua East to Wellington with a house we live in now, we’re renting it. We group of women who spend the night get hungry. really want to buy a house but the thing is, cleaning. Alison: Your children? not enough money, because we got five TM: I really want to find a day time job but TM: Yes. Sometimes the kids come home kids and we have to pay for everything. there is nobody else to look after my chil­ about lunchtime and they cry. They said You know things are very expensive. dren. I wake up in the morning and ready some other kids take their lunch. That's Power's gone up, rent’s gone up. the kids to school. When they go to school why 1 change (to a night job) 1 told them at Alison: Are things now harder than they I go to sleep then I get up in the afternoon lunchtime, all of them come home and ’ were in the past? about 12 o’clock and make some lunch will ready some lunch for them. TM: Yes, when Mr Kirk was the prime for them and at a quarter to one they go Alison: Is it hard to pay the bills and, you minister we used to spend ten dollars for back to school and I go back to sleep too, know, look after five kids with what you our shopping and we still can save some then 1 wake up about three o’clock when earn? money, forty dollars or something like they come home. TM: Yes, it’s hard if only him (TM’s hus­ that. But from now on we can’t save any­ Alison: And you stay awake until you go to band) of our family who works. Because if thing. Sixty dollars is not enough for us work? he brings some money and then I spend it because we got a big family. I have to work TM: Yes, when all my family — my hus­ for the food and pay the rent sometimes hard say if I want to buy a house. band come from work and my kids come the bills come out to 78 dollars and it’s not Alison: You must get very tired. home from the school, 1 already make enough for us. And the children need TM: Yes, sometimes when I come to work some tea for us, we all have tea then 1 some money for the school and it’s hard I got a headache and 1 take some disprin ready to come to work too. I leave home for me to ask for some money and I and come to work but in the middle of the about seven thirty in the evening. Then we haven't got it. I haven’t got any money in night 1 feel better. arrive in Wellington. my hand or in the bank. That’s why I find Alison: Do you feel like falling asleep? Alison: There’s a whole group of you who this kind of job. But, I don't like to work at TM: Yes, when we have our supper I am come from Porirua on a bus? nights, I like to be with my family at night falling asleep and then I get up and I think TM: Yes, none in Wellington, all of them time. And my children told me they want “oh, it’d be better for me if I go and do from Porirua. I work from eight o’clock till me to stay home at night time and I said to some work or else 1 sleep here until the four o’clock in the morning. We all go and them “I know all of you need both of us, time we knock off." wait for the bus at the bus stop about four but the thing is if I stay we... I don’t know Alison: You must not see your husband and when the bus comes we all go back where to get the money to buy some very much. home. It’s lucky we've got our own trans­ food," (she pauses) and buy some TM: No, not much. I can only see him port to bring us to work and take us back clothes, things they need and I don’t know when he comes from work and at the weekend too. That's the only time I can home. where to get it — that’s why I told them I Alison: How did you get used to working don't want to leave this kind of a job... see him... all of them... him and my kids. If so hard and staying awake — not getting maybe sometime but not now. But when I think about it (working) there’s not tired — is it hard? they grow up, you know, they 15 years old enough money to help him to take care of TM: Yes, it is hard, but I don't like them to it's alright for me to look for a day time job our family. □ Broadsheet, October 1986 15 SPORTING SUCCESS

Erin Baker, 1985 world champion woman triathlete was interviewed by Maryann Franklin, who also looks at some of the issues for feminism ______and for women who are successful in sport.

“One program we have to push in the future is for junior Despite such ill-informed sentiments, women in sport women. Their physiology is of course different from that have been getting increased media attention recently. of junior men. Women develop much faster. Men develop There appears to be a change of attitude in the air. Televi­ much slower, but will be much stronger later. Women de­ sion recently gave live coverage of the women’s world velop faster but have different bodies. Women cannot softball championships and the Milo netball series. The compete with men at the highest level. In gymnastics new Sunday Star has actually devoted a whole page in its perhaps, but in power and endurance, no. So this is very sports section exclusively to women's sports, while Anne nice for young women, who can enjoy being successful in Audain's latest running triumphs have even had a men­ their sport while they are growing up ...” tion on the 6.30 news. Susan Devoy achieved the pinnacle Eddie Borysewicz — US n ational cyclin g coach 1986. of success in New Zealand by being named as Sportsman of the Year, in the same year as Belinda Cordwell man­ Above: Champion triathlete Erin Baker aged to hold off thp so-called "mannish" Martina Nav­ Photo courtesy o f HZ Triathlete ratilova in tennis. And the list goes on. To many, this indicates a distinct swing towards a gen-

16 Broadsheet, October 1986 eral acceptance of women achieving in top level sporting women’s place within it. It is a topic conspicuous by its ab­ events. The accompanying increase in sponsorship deals sence in feminist theory. and live TV coverage is considered the ultimate accep­ There is no doubt though, that, empirically speaking, tance of women in the male domain of organized sporting things are a-changing. But anybody can play the numbers competition. Women athletes can rejoice, they have value game-quote statistics, point to budgets, focus on our few on the open sporting market. So the cry is that women are high-profile women athletes and come up with a persua­ “catching up" and, in some instances, will soon be surpas­ sive argument either way. Yet certain questions go un­ sing male records. Gone are the days when women answered: what is sport (particularly, is there a feminist athletes were an oddity, abnormal, unfeminine creatures. perspective on this); is sport as it is presently organized, Now they can demand equal prizemoney, run the the only or best approach; is more sponsorship i.e. in­ marathon and 10,000 metres in the Olympics, and even creased commercialism for women's sport a positive de­ be used in advertising. Equality is here. So much so, that velopment; are there any real changes, or awareness, of some writers have felt prompted to point out that women the usual feminist concerns over women’s body-image, may in fact be "taking over". (Bob South in a Sunday sexuality, social roles, being made through the increasing Star article "Frontrunners" 11 May.) involvement of women in sport? So on one hand we have the claim that "to suggest... These questions are complex and, interwoven as they that women’s sports suffer from overwhelming media are with social and biological issues, not easily answered. bias is inane if not totally inaccurate." (Bob South again). Feminist cries of “women are stronger than men" per se, And on the other, “the present structure of the wider soci­ ignore certain physiological differences (whether they are ety, with women being under-represented... this type socially induced or not), as much as the establishment of imbalance has led to the undervaluing of women s justifications of “women are biologically disadvantaged, sport..." (The Sports Development Enquiry Committee). naturally weaker" etc. There is a tendency everywhere to Feminists naturally fall into the second camp. retreat into ideological statements or assumptions when More media coverage does not automatically mean confronting this issue. that the barriers have all come down, or that a few well- It is not my intention here to fully discuss these issues, known women athletes signify a revolution in this coun­ but rather to highlight them through the following inter­ try s attitude to sport. Yet there have been few in-depth view with one of New Zealand s leading sportswomen. analyses of institutionalized sport by feminists, or of

rin Baker has recently been bear in mind that she is 4he first ^ LIFESTYLE named in Ultrasport woman to go under 10 hours, (and At the beginning of 1984, Erin was liv­ M agazine in the top ten en­ just lately has slashed that time by half ing and working in Sydney, and this is durance athletes in the an hour), over the full Ironperson where she had her first taste of world, and this year, came course (as measured by the famous triathlons. She did well in her first E11th overall in the New Zealand “Iron- Hawaii “Ironman" which ends with a events (won in fact), which provided man” event in Auckland. Her chosen full marathon), and is capable of run­ her with an excuse to give up working sport is relatively new and her rise to ning under three hours for a and devote herself fulltime to training. fame has been meteoric. Both these marathon after swimming and cycl­ This meant she took the risk of sup­ factors make her an interesting ing. Erin is a professional triathlete porting herself on sponsorship and example of how attitudes to women in and as such, has been at the van­ prize money — her income de­ sport have been developing in the last guard of demands for equal pended on her performance. Erin fol­ few years. The triathlon is a multi-dis­ prizemoney for men and women. lows a rigorous and to some incredi­ cipline event involving swimming, Erin is 25 years old this year. She bly huge training programme. In ans­ cycling and running in succession. It comes from an athletic background, wer to the claim that someone has to can involve any combination of having competed at national level in be slightly odd/obsessive/mad to events, like paddling-cycle-run or ski- both swimming and running. physically exert oneself so much, she cycle-run and so on. As a sport it is on Brought up in Christchurch, she at­ replies, “I think people who go to work the crest of a wave of popularity. Only tended a girls school which she con­ eight hours a day are crazy — who born over the last ten years or so, it siders had a good sporting environ­ would want to sit in an office eight has a particular role in the develop­ ment. As a teenage athlete, she was hours a day!" ment of women as credible endur­ aware of herself being one of the few The only difference for Erin is that ance athletes. — late to class because of training she trains in the time that most 1 interviewed her the morning after schedules etc. — and considered people work. Yet Erin's training her win in the women's section in the somewhat odd at times by her schedule in itself is a challenge to the “DB Ironman”. She had covered the schoolmates. Erin feels that her early notion that women are biologically 3.2km swim, 161km bike ride and experience taught her greater effi­ unable to withstand such hard physi­ 32km run in 8 hours 26 minutes, 33 ciency with her time and she applies cal activity. Julie Moss, the American seconds; 20 minutes ahead of the this to her present training. Between triathlete who came second to Erin in next woman home, and 5l minutes 19 and 22 she didn't compete due to the DB, conceded that she has “set behind the first man. These times will the need to study for radiography. Al­ new standards in training and has a have little meaning to the average though she obviously kept herself fit, nice jump on the opposition". Other­ Broadsheet reader 1 know, so just competitive sport was not a priority. wise, Erin states that "1 am basically

Broadsheet, October 1986 17 normal” and feels that a lot of exagg­ church, put her only 11 minutes be­ eration goes on as to her character hind the male winner — proof of traits . .. “hardly anything that is writ­ how close these “inferior” contestants ten is correct”. could be. In economic terms then, lesser ► ON FEMINISM prizemoney seems justified. But the Erin’s stand on the issue of equal allocation of prizes has always in­ prizemoney, where she has refused to volved values and attitudes that go compete in events that failed to offer beyond economics. The interesting parity with men, has had a definite ef­ aspect of triathlons is that like the fect on triathlons, in this country at marathon, they are one of few events least. Although the issue is far from where men and women compete to­ resolved, her stand has made her gether ostensibly as “equals”. Yet in (along with Susan Devoy and Allison this sense, it is secondary to Erin who Roe) somewhat of a spokesperson on comes over the line first. She sees women’s rights in sport. But as to herself as the first woman. The prob­ whether Erin classifies herself as a lem is that the public and the media feminist, she is more circumspect. are preoccupied with the first three “1 consider myself feminist be­ placegetters — an attitude that is be­ cause I understand feminist things ... coming more and more prevalent I am aware of the sort of things people and accepted in sport. are going on about. ” “It’s two races in one, but because we Her reservations lie with what she don’t cross the line first, as in first perceives as the dogmatism of some overall, we just lose everything. The feminists, but she agrees that there people think, ‘well the first few are in, are misunderstandings as to what now it’s time to go’... Now it doesn’t being a feminist means. There is no happen to me because they know doubt that Erin has an awareness, what 1 think, they know I’m coming, particularly over the use of language I’m in the race . .. But if you were the in sport. Having to run behind a car first woman coming across the line, with “Leading Lady” scrawled across nobody would be interested by the it, really grated on her, as does the time you got there. And that’s all it is. tendency to use terms lady and girl It’s only because I’ve got a name now when talking of women athletes. She that people are interested. herself endeavours to use woman “But then I don’t want to see all my and feels it important enough to races just against women. Because I make a point of. After a ll... like to — for myself — I like to be “Lady is a man’s impression of chasing the men. Because I want to what a woman should be . . . and I get better...” think that’s right... they think we are Many women are in Erin’s position. ladies and I just hate it. It mean, I’m a There is a desire to compete with the woman, I don’t consider myself to be men as well as the women. Apart a lady... I think that it is an intimidat­ from a few exceptions though, mod­ ing term... lady to me seems weak, ern sports organisation has decreed feeble.” that sex should be the primary categ­ Coupled with this principle is ory. It is assumed through tradition Erin’s firm belief that equal that the biological definiton of sex is prizemoney is the woman athlete’s the bottom line for any differences in right. “We’re doing the same thing athletic performance between men that the men are doing.” Her conten­ and women. K.F. Dyer has written tion is that the women work as hard Photo: Maryann Franklin ('Challenging the men: Women in Sport) that the biological division in and, in the top places, are of an equi­ As Erin points out, it is only the first sport is an irrational one and no valent standard to their male counter­ three places that really count in terms longer tenable in the light of increas­ parts. of prizes. After that, times fall away ing evidence that women can be Now this is a tricky issue, countered very quickly in the women's section. equal or better (potentially) in certain by many triathlon organizers with the Those top few women are of an equi­ events. argument that women comprise a valent standard to the men, are doing very small section of the total number as much work and to her, it is irrelev­ competing. Consequently, their re­ ant that they may not be first over the ► WOMEN ONLY EVENTS wards should be in proportion to their line. It is worth noting at this point that There are implications in this debate representation. The implicit part to Erin herself is well on the way to prov­ for the future of women generally in this argument of course, is that ing that women can have speed as triathlons. Such a sport, with its em­ women are (and by implication, al­ well as endurance — her place of 6th phasis on endurance, attracts many ways will be) slower than the men. Yet overall in a short-course triathlon men. A large proportion of them are the standards are lifting all the time. (known as a sprint tri) in Christ­ convinced that it is muscle size and 18 Broadsheet, October 1986 strength that will get to the line in events is to her, patronising. With the with their appropriation of sportsmen good time. Anyone who has watched right sort of training — and this and sportswomen as models of heal­ some of these Mr Atlas-type guys doesn’t mean mega-hours — Erin is thy lives, healthy bodies. Leotards and stagger across the finish, at the convinced that any woman has the sportswear are a whole new industry, tailend of the field, will know that bulk potential to do an official length as manufacturers vie for this corner of does not equal endurance. Yet for triathlon. Events like the “Golden Girl’’ the market. Many a triathlete who is a women just starting out and wanting recently staged in Auckland, although woman has this bodyshape, but just to taste the fun, this can be very in­ attracting a large number of entries, as many (and this includes top perfor­ timidating. Triathlons have a strong are condescending, through the mers) do not. element of the macho stereotype and name and the lesser distance. Erin’s Sportswomen walk a very thin line. this is the strongest point in the case sister, married with 2 children, com­ The battle to gain acceptance as an for women-only triathlons. Kapiti al­ pleted her first event recently, and fol­ athlete and as a suitably feminine ready holds a short tri for women lowing a programme that need not be female is usually fought uncon­ only, and events such as these are time-consuming, so can anyone. Erin sciously. Lipstick, mascara, carefully strongly supported by Erin. There is outlines such a programme in the applied foundation, are common less intimidation and so more oppor­ box. sights around women athletes prior tunity for beginner women to get in­ to the start of a race. Mo one ques­ volved. If anyone has been subjected tions a woman’s athletic ability, pr to some of the aggressive tactics at ^ BODY IMAGE casts aspersions on her femininity in the swim start, they will understand AND THE MEDIA this context. It is when women start how some women would be loath to In many ways, triathlons exemplify the breaking certain records (as in Erin’s throw themselves into such a current fashion of slim-but-fit for case last year), or fail to conform to whirlpool. women’s bodies. Gone are the the athlete-but-I’m-a-woman-first Women’s triathlons and their pre­ Twiggy days where slim-and-thin was stereotype, that questions are raised. sent short form are a two edged the norm. The popularity of aerobics Sex-tests (only for women of course!) sword though. Erin feels that, to be and gym work-outs is due, in part, to have been institutionalised for years credible, they must be the proper dis­ the large number of women taking up at the Olympic Games. (Eva tance (1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10 these pastimes to obtain that lean, Klobukowska, one time Polish co­ km run). The shorter distance au­ healthy, well defined look. Magazines holder of the 100 metre world record. tomatically assigned to women-only and TV cash in on this sports craze . . was disqualified from international

ON TRAINING FOR A TRIATHLON

Erin’s main point is that a programme like this once a week, and a lesser distance two more times requires only one to one and a half hours a few days that week, say 1500 metres once and 800 metres a week. The main aim is to build slowly and gain twice. For another event, say biking, do the distance the benefits of greater fitness as it comes. There are required at least once, maybe twice. many books available on triathlon training and a By week seven or eight be able to, three times a regular magazine, Triathlete. week, do two of the sports. And once that week, “1 think you can do it easily — like you don’t want everything. So, you go down the pool, and do for to go out and race your first one. 1 think you can example a kilometre swim and a 30 km cycle, and a complete it, with the right sort of training. That’s a 3-5km run. problem — people just don't know what to do. 1 I think ife really important that you get used to, want people to build up two months to it, even ten especially, getting off the bike and running.Because, weeks. Decide, there's a race in ten weeks and I want the first couple of times you do it, its really hard. But to do it. it really is surprising how easy it becomes. So at I would advise, if you've done any sport, to pick up least once or twice before the race do all three things that sport for the first week. Get more confident at it — not the full distances but a 1 V2 — 2 hour — and be training at it; instead of a jog make it a workout. run. 1 find there are a lot of men really supportive of the In week two start to incorporate say, the thing you women doing it, but I’m sure there are women who fear most, say swimming. Force yourself twice that don’t get a lot of support at all. Saturday morning, week to go down to the pool. Once that week get on for example, there must be someone, boyfriend, to the third thing like go for a cycle. friend, husband who can look after the kids — make And then its just a question of building up. What them look after the kids! you aim to do is decrease what you're good at Triathlons are not a young sport— its an older (especially if you are capable of completing the sport. But a lot of women have got children and distance). Once you know you are capable of other commitments, or financially they could not completing that distance, maybe just decrease it a afford not to be working. So there are these little, and work on the others. problems." □ By week five be swimming the distance at least

Broadsheet, October 1986 19 competition in 1967 after failing to who wants to be covered up.” pass a chromosomal test . . . Eva’s boyfried said that he was amazed that anyone should consider she was not ► COMPETITION a woman.) The controversy over Erin is one of many women who are steroids aside, the implication is that directly challenging male assump­ women who achieve excessively tions about women’s athletic potenti­ must be more “male”. al. Her own times, and her total domi­ This attitude can be hard to pin nance in womens triathlons at pre­ down, deeply enmeshed in social sent, is breaking new ground in a and cultural attitudes as it is. Yet it be­ sport which is itself, providing a con­ comes quickly apparent when a text for women to realise their potent­ woman oversteps the line. This can ia l as endurance athletes. Sport at be in various ways; her strong com­ her level is highly organised and petitive ability (the ability to win, or highly competitive. This latter aspect, beat other men in this case), or her and its assumed partner — aggres­ physical appearance. A common sion — are seen as essentially “mas­ comment is, “Oh, but she’s a very culine” characteristics. Women who masculine competitor”, or “1 thought achieve in sport, are often said to have it was a man passing me”, or “all a large degree of these “masculine” those muscles-she looks like a man”. traits. Sociologists analyse this in The worst part is, it is not only men terms of a “conflict in role behaviour”. who say these things! Many sportswomen don’t see this Such subtle and not so subtle put- conflict, but even so, they are caught downs, are just one of the factors pre­ in the middle of society’s rigid defini­ venting women athletes from reach­ tion of masculine and feminine. ing their full potential at this time. To Whether modern sport’s preoccu­ Erin, such attitudes are unimportant. pation with winning/being the best is She chooses to ignore them. a good thing, is an issue in itself. “1 don’t mind if 1 look like a man, be­ Some feminists see wanting to win as cause I’ve got muscles. Of course I’ve a male hang-up in an area dominated got muscles — I train to have mus­ by men anyway, and so it is not a thing cles!” women should strive to do. Con­ She is very aware of this ambiva­ sequently, even feminists, in their own lence towards women athletes whose way, are critical of women competing. bodies challenge the norm — “Heaps The ideas of co-operation and shar­ goes on what you look like — for ing are seen as incompatible with the promotional purposes ... 1 don’t look individualistic notion of winning a as elegant as other people look, race. maybe that’s why they say I look like a Erin is very emphatic on this issue. man.” She doesn’t see competing as a male The idea of wearing make-up is prerogative or as a negative thing, at ridiculous to Erin. She laughs as she all. Women are just as competitive as pictures “everything running at the men, and this is not anything to be end.” Neither does Erin relish the ashamed of. She cites her own family media’s portrayal of sportswomen as as an example; four out of six girls are sex-objects. She is very conscious of highly competitive whereas of her two the slim-as-beautiful image pushed brothers one is just not interested, by sports magazines and general while the other, although quite gifted media alike — “it pisses me off to see and a representative rugby league models advertising sports products”. player, lacks Erin’s competitiveness. Erin is not tall, particularly long-leg­ Granted, sportspeople get far too ged, or prone to self-display. She sees that there is nothing wrong with being much recognition, and she is aware herself as “borderline”. Her body is big. To her, it is a matter of what one is that her own example is not the norm. carefully honed into top condition happy with — “confidence in yourself Athletes like Anne Audain and Lor­ with the aim of competing at her ut­ is No. 1”. She acknowledges that so­ raine Moller have been excelling for most potential. It is Erin’s disinterest cial norms can prevent bigger people years, but have only recently been in conforming in this way that sets from taking part in physical activities, awarded particular media attention. her, in my mind, apart from other and of the pressures on big people to “1 just happen to be like this. I be­ athletes. Although many of her col­ “cover up”. lieve sportspeople get put on this in­ leagues are attractive women — in “I’m really pleased to see big credible pedestal and we get far too the conventional sense — Erin is en­ women wearing shorts and tops ... it much recognition for what we do ... thusiastic about any women learning doesn’t worry me to see the biggest It’s (triathlons) a real ‘in’ sport and I’ve to be more active. She thinks different woman there is in bikini or shorts, be­ been given an incredible amount of shaped bodies are a good thing, and cause that’s what it should be like ... publicity. But 1 can only say I’ve re-

20 Broadsheet, October 1986 ceived far more than my fair share... I Erin sees any value judgements as sportswomen are challenging male think there s still a lot of chauvinism “rubbish" as sports has been big busi­ notions of “feminine” activity. But it is around." ness’s for a long time. Neither does an uphill battle. Restraints and social she downgrade the notion of sport for pressures come from without and its own sake. within. Increased publicity has yet to ^ ROLE MODELS “Trying and finishing is a reward in have a real effect on women's sport as As a woman athlete who can achieve itself. The people that want to try and the poor cousin to men’s. Neither is it on her own terms, Erin could be seen finish are as, or more elated than I am. a sure sign that social attitudes and as a role model for others wanting to But I’ve done it. I’ve been there and expectations have radically changed enter the sport. She herself doesn't I’ve done that, and I’ve won. I still love at grass-roots level — in school have any in particular. Allison Roe’s my sport and 1 would still do it if there playgrounds and physed program­ marathon victories and world record was no money in it. But I’m in a posi­ mes. Women such as Erin Baker are in that event, did make an impression. tion now that 1 can do it and get paid pioneers in a sense, in that they are di­ She is more concerned over the myth for it. So now I’ve established myself rectly challenging the men on their that top women athletes cannot be in that position, 1 cannot go back to own ground. Although thousands of friends, and the media’s role in earning no money because 1 have no young women take part in organised spreading it. income.” sport in their teens, it is with boys that “When I race against her (Roe), I’m it seems to play its most powerful role. incredibly competitive towards her, Those women who do continue into and she is towards me. And that’s the CONCLUSION adulthood, do so at some sort of cost way it goes. But outside, I consider It may seem surprising, and yet is no (realised or not). The general conser­ we re good friends, 1 hear things you accident, that very few top-level vatism of most sportswomen is a bar­ wouldn’t believe, and 1 know that’s not sportswomen are feminists. Margaret rier in itself to further progress. Yet It correct. ” Talbot puts it well when she says “The could also be seen as a kind of pro­ ambivilence towards women in sport tective mechanism, where traditional ... is shared by both men and women, social roles taken by women, outside ^ PROFESSIONALISM in respect of the conflict which is seen the sports arena, balance the chal­ There is much debate at present between femininity and sports com­ lenge to men in one of their most sac­ amongst sport administrators over petition. The value conflict is seen as red domains. what constitutes a professional inevitable when the competition is at The Feminist movement has obvi­ sportsperson, and its implication for top-level, or where the sports event is ously had a part to play in the changes the Olympic games. Triathlons origi­ not congruent with the “female attri­ in sporting attitudes to women. But nated, in their present form, in butes” of passivity, nurturance etc ... this has been with very little direct America and are big business over The challenge to culturally deter­ input on the subject. Feminists seem there. To many, amateurism is a sac­ mined stereotyped notion£*of femi­ as wary of sportswomen as most red notion and should be protected. ninity presented by female sports par­ sportswomen are of feminists! Still, (This debate goes beyond the scope ticipation is further strengthened by such issues as raised in this article of this article but does warrant a men­ recent questioning of the inevitability and elsewhere, must be grappled with tion) Erin has strong feelings on the of men’s superior performance in all in feminist theory. Attitudes to sport issue. sports and, in a wider context, by the are changing fast and we need to be “Professionalism and amateurism current controversy over relative in­ aware of it. Sport is a feminist issue. □ are just the biggest sham there is .. . nate or cultural influences on sex-typ­ people have been ripping off ing." sportspeople for years. ” Despite themselves, many

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Broadsheet, October 1986 21 A uckland to Wellington ON A BICYCLE JULIE GLAMUZINA UNEARTHED THIS PIECE OF WOMEN S HERSTORY

With her rode her two brothers. One drove a motorcycle carrying all H he herstory of women’s cycle the food and gear. The other, a racing ■JLm racing and riding in New cyclist like Violet, cycled alongside Zealand is, like so much of women’s her. sporting herstory, forgotten and hid­ The route she followed took her den. In the 1890s there were various down the main highway out of Auck­ women’s cycling clubs, including the land to Mokau in Taranaki which she Mimiro Ladies Club in Otago and the reached at midnight on the first day. Atalanta Ladies Cycling Club in Starting off again at 4.15 am, she Christchurch. In the Cyclopedia of rode through Waitara and Inglewood, New Zealand published around the reaching Stratford around midday. turn of the century, not a word was From there she followed the coast written about the existence of these line down to Wanganui. The days and other women’s clubs. Only men’s were sunny although some showers cycling clubs and activities were men­ fell at this part of her journey. Between tioned. Sanson and Bulls she had to contend From 1932 New Zealand cyclists with a metal road which caused her to competed at the Commonwealth and lose at least a half hour. From there Olympic games. Only men com­ on, in spite of having to ride into the peted because there were no cycling wind, she made good progress to events for women. The first time that Wellington. a women’s cycle racing event ap­ She was dressed in normal racing peared on the programme was at the clothing — comfortable cycling Los Angeles Olympics in 1982. The shorts, short-sleeved jersey and cycl­ New Zealand cycling selectors at that ing shoes which were clipped and time would not nominate a woman to strapped into the pedals for represent New Zealand, but Auckland maximum efficiency. Her bicycle was cyclist, Kathy Ragg, took advantage equipped with gears which enabled of her dual New Zealand/Fiji citizen­ her to ride up the hills, including the ship and rode for Fiji instead. Paekakariki hill. The bicycle tyres In 1964 there were twelve women were sturdy by heavy, unlike the mod­ registered as racing cyclists com­ ern tubular tyres which glue on to the pared with 1,185 male cyclists. By wheel rims and are very light. 1986 the numbers for women had previous record of 79 hours and 40 Interviewed after her ride, Violet risen to only about 30, most of these minutes, set in 1932. said that she had trained for eight registering since 1981, when the first Violet was the secretary of the Au­ months, covering over 2000 miles national cycle racing championship ckland Ladies Amateur Cycling Club (3200 kilometres) in this time as pre­ for women was held. which had been formed in 1931. Its paration for her ride. She said that she Clntil recently, women who wanted members competed in the weekly had no plans to attempt the ride again to race received very little encourage­ cycle races which were part of the but hoped that other women would ment. One woman who had raced in programmes of athletic meetings in attempt to lower her record. At that England where women’s cycling had Auckland. time other women in Auckland were greater acceptance was told when Violet left Auckland at 6.15 am on 6 contemplating improving her time, she wanted to race in New Zealand in January. Fifty hours and thirty-three but it was not until early March, 1986, the 1960s that “sheilas couldn’t race”. minutes later, she arrived in Wel­ that another attempt was made. This Instead, she was told that she was lington. Cinder the heading “Girl’s was by Julie Burns, 24, of Cambridge. “welcome” to help the other women (sic) Endurance”, the Dominion re­ She was well on the way to breaking in making the post-race afternoon ported that “she did not find it neces­ Violet’s record when, just 60 teas. sary to go to bed after her 470 miles kilometres from Wellington, she was In spite of such attitudes, in journey, and ... was quite fresh”. She struck and injured by a car in very bad January 1936, Violet Baird, a 25 year- had had only four hours sleep — weather conditions and had to aban­ old Auckland machinist, set a new taken by the side of the road in don the attempt. women’s record for cycling from Au­ Mokau, Taranaki — since her depar­ So the women’s record for this ckland to Wellington, breaking her ture from Auckland. event still stands. □

22 Broadsheet, October 1986 TAXING US HARDER

In this, the third of three articles, Mary Slater looks • state house rentals will increase, or the houses them­ at the issue of taxation. Mary is a member of the selves will simply cease to be built Wellington Social Wage Group. • services to the public will be reduced. Job levels them­ selves will decline. • postal and electricity charges will have to be raised These higher charges are a type of tax, but, they have a much heavier impact on lower income people. Lower in­ come people spend a higher proportion of their incomes on electricity and telephone rent. They also depend more on services such as state housing. Access to quality ser­ vices at affordable cost will be at risk if our tax system doesn’t collect enough money, and if the government turns to its own agencies to make up the difference. WHAT KINDS OF TAXATION ARE THERE? Basically tax gathering in our system falls into three categories. »w TĒ INCOME TAX: This is tax on incomes of wage and salary earners, and on company profits.

INDIRECT TAX: This is tax on the sale of goods and services.

WEALTH TAX: This is tax on the ownership of wealth, whether money or property. Examples include death and estate duties. In 1985, the proportion of tax under each of those headings was: WHERE DOES TAXATION FIT Income tax 70%; Indirect tax 29%; Wealth tax .008% IN? But that is just a brief snapshot of the kind of taxes there The government has a responsibility to intervene in the are now, and the contribution they make to government New Zealand economy, to actively manage and plan the revenue. economy so that it works in the interests of people, and Before looking at what’s happening now and in the near not solely in the interests of business. future, it’s worth looking at our tax history. We have taken But to intervene in the economy, to plan and provide three historical snapshots, which illustrate two significant goods and services, to make sure that regulations and points: laws are enforced, requires money. Taxation is simply the • Forms of taxation have failed to keep up with changes method of raising money for government to operate. in the structure of the economy. With new structures Without taxation, the New Zealand government could and forms of economic activity, our tax system has be­ not have produced anything — no railways, no roads, no come out of date. telephones, no mail delivery no airways, no shipping sys­ • There has been a gradual movement away from any re­ tems. It is taxation that enables us to have a free, compul­ quirement that the owners of wealth should contribute sory education system and free medical treatment in pub­ towards taxation. lic hospitals. THE NEW ZEALAND OF 1912 The alternative is that only people with sufficient money In 1912, commercial activity revolved around land-based will be able to buy goods and services. Everyone else will production and the consumption of items that were im­ have to rely on whatever services private charity throws up. ported, usually from Britain. The tax structure reflected Taxation provides us with an extremely wide range of that sort of economy. Land taxes, death duties and estate goods and services — provided free, or at an affordable duties brought in 19% of the total tax collected. Customs cost. The weather forecast, trade statistics, national parks, and excise duties brought in a whacking 64%. lands and survey maps, the police, to name but a few. It is taxation which enables the government to effectively pro­ BEFORE THE WAR vide a range of services from which we all collectively be­ By 1938 the economy was starting to diversify and more nefit. of the consumption needs of the local economy were If the government doesn’t get enough money from tax it being met by local producers. It was also clear that taxes will have to collect it in other ways: on wealth were starting to diminish. Land and other wealth

Broadsheet, October 1986 23 taxes had fallen to 7.5% of the total and customs and ex­ week. She buys groceries and other essentials worth $90. cise duties to 29%. Income taxes were starting to surge GST of 10%is $9. That is, the tax rate on her disposable in­ forward as the centrepiece of the tax system, bringing in come is — 39% of all tax. The shift to almost complete reliance on in­ come taxes was the dominant feature of the post-war era. $9 TAX______THE END OF THE “LONG BOOM” $100 INCOME = 9% TAX RATE______By 1970, two-thirds of all taxes were being collected from Mr Fitzherbert has a disposable income after rent of $300 income tax. The owners of wealth had more or less been a week. He buys groceries and other essentials worth excused from tax obligations, contributing only 2% of the $150. GST of 10% is $15. total. Customs duties had dipped to just below 10% and That is the tax rate on his disposable income is — taxes on alcohol, cigarettes and other items brought in $15 TAX______about one-fifth. In the last 15 years there have been small $300 DISPOSABLE INCOME = 5% TAX RATE changes in these proportions. The big difference, how­ ever, has been within the income tax component of the tax That is, even though Mr Fitzherbert pays more tax in $ structure. Taxes on individuals have come to dominate terms, he pays a low er proportion of his income in tax. and the contribution of company tax has been gradually That’s what makes GST a regressive tax. That would not falling. Whereas company tax made up about one-third, be so bad if Mr Fitzherbert was also paying a fair amount of and individual income tax about two-thirds of the income income tax on his salary. But from 1 October, the income tax take in the mid 1960s, by 1985 individuals were paying from GST is being used to fund [but only partly] a reduc­ nearly 95% and companies were paying less than 10% of tion in income tax which will have far more benefit for high the income tax burden. income earners than low and middle income earners. • There are other ways of coping with tax avoidance REASONS FOR THE CHANGES which have been ignored. There are two main reasons behind the shifts in the dis­ • There is no evidence that people are leaving New Zea­ tribution of tax during this century. One is political. The land and/or failing to exercise entrepreneurial initiative owners of wealth have been successful in persuading gov­ because of the taxation system. ernments that they should not contribute as much as pre­ • In addition, it’s probably a tax which will discriminate viously. The second is structural. As the economy became against women, who tend to be the shoppers and who more complex, forms of taxation did not develop to tap will have to cope with the impact of GST on their house­ new forms of economic activity. The development of the keeping money, and discriminate in favour of men who financial sector, the growth of speculative activity and the tend to be those with higher incomes and to control the growing dominance of the share market are all areas that wealth, and who will therefore be the principle be­ have not been tapped by modern forms of taxation. This neficiaries of the plan to reduce tax, particularly on the has meant that taxes have intensified in the more tradi­ incomes of high income earners. tional areas of the economy. The proportion of the tax bill met by ordinary wage and salary earners has grown out of NEGATIVE INCOME TAX all proportion to their role in the economy. (Family Support and the Guaranteed Minimum Family In­ come — GMFI). Also introduced on 1 October was a new system where WHERE IS TAXATION POLICY people on low incomes with dependent children will be HEADING? given tax top-ups to subsidise their wages. As we’ve seen, there has been a shift through New Zea­ That is, when low income people don’t get enough from land’s history away from taxing wealth and towards taxing their employment to support them and their children, their wage and salaries. Change in taxation policy is speeding employer will be given money by the Inland Revenue De­ up under this Government. Three areas show this change. partment to top up their wages. Onions constantly struggle to try to make employers THE GOODS AND SERVICE TAX exercise their social responsibility to workers by paying a By now it’s well known that GST came into force on 1 Oc­ living wage. The Family Support and GMFI schemes ef­ tober. Everything that’s bought and sold will become a fectively undermine that responsibility. method of collecting tax. The arguments advanced by the government in favour of GST fall into two categories: REDUCTION IN COMPANY TAX • it’s impossible to avoid The third area of taxation policy change is concerned with • it allows reduction in income tax, and that reduction will tax on company profits. Taken together with GST and the encourage people to stay in New Zealand and exercise lowering of the rates of income tax on high earners, it rep­ entrepreneurial initiative. The arguments advanced, resents a major shift for the responsibility of paying for mainly by the union movement, in opposition to the tax public services away from the wealthy and towards ordi­ are: nary working people. The system is known as imputation. It falls more heavily on the poor than the rich, because On 20 August 1985, the Minister of Finance told parlia­ the poor spend more of their money on goods and ser­ ment that “the government proposes to introduce a full vices than do the rich. Technically, that makes GST a imputation system in 1988/89, subject to consultation “regressive” tax. it differs from taxation policy in the with the business sector”. That announcement may seem past which was “progressive” — taxation designed to to have nothing to do with working people but it is a key tax fall more heavily on the wealthy than the poor. issue for the labour movement. Stripped of all the jargon, imputation is a mechanism AN EXAMPLE: for a massive reduction in the tax paid by those who get in­ Mrs Smith has a disposable income after rent of $100 a come from the ownership of shares. If the government

24 Broadsheet, October 1986 goes ahead with its intention we will be faced with either: WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF • extra taxes being imposed on the rest of the commun­ A FAIR TAXATION SYSTEM? ity, or We have to begin by acknowledging that taxation is neces­ • cuts in government services. sary if we are to have public services which are fair or at an easily affordable cost when we need them. HERE IS HOW “IMPUTATION” WORKS Then the question becomes one of who should pay, Company A makes $100 profit, pays $48 tax and distri­ rather than a lemming like rush to the mindless less tax butes $52 as a dividend. policies presented at election time to catch votes. The shareholder declares the full $100 as his or her in­ Our history is that a fair tax system is one which gathers come but also claims the $48 as tax paid. more from those who can afford to pay, whether individu­ Since 48 per cent is to be the new top tax rate, sharehol­ als or companies, and less from those who can t. ders will never pay any tax on the dividend. If they are on Recently the Federation of Labour and the Combined tax rates of 30 cents, or less, they will get dividends and a State Unions held a national taxation seminar to look at tax rebate to “repay” the so-called “excessive” tax paid by developing a comprehensive taxation policy for the union the company! movement. There will be four main effects of this type of system: The facts of the matter are that those who can afford to • there will be no taxes paid on dividend incomes; pay tax can also afford to pay lawyers and accountants to • there will be some rebating to shareholders of tax that help them devise ways of reducing their tax burden. might have been paid by companies; Therefore a fair tax system needs to be one which has the • because shareholders would need to receive dividends broadest possible definition of income and the narrowest before they can get full advantage of the rebate, they definition of exemptions. □ will demand much higher levels of distribution of pro­ fits in the form of dividends; If you’re interested in getting to know more about the • higher levels of dividend payout will leave less money in details of the union proposals as they were developed at companies for reinvestment. the seminar, write to: Imputation will therefore have effects on job levels as The Secretary, NZFOL, PO BOX 6161, TE ARO well as on the distribution of taxation and on the social or The Secretary, CSCI, PO BOX 5103, WELLINGTON wage.

Women in History ESSAYS ON EUROPEAN WOMEN IN NEW ZEALAND Edited by Barbara Brookes, Charlotte Macdonald and Margaret Tennant

What was it like to be a Pakeha woman in New Zealand fifty years or a hundred years ago? Women in History provides some answers to this question - not all the answers, for the history of women is still one of the least researched parts of our past. But these ten essays make a major contribution to an exciting new field of historical inquiry.

Illustrated with contemporary photographs. Paperback: $24*. b5 (incl. GST) Hardback: $35.00 (incl. GST)

Allen & Unwin/Port Nicholson Press

Broadsheet, October 1986 25 Teēn M ovies

f you’re an avid film-goer So what is there in the cinematic no doubt you have noticed girlfriend. Female viewers are forced wilderness for the young woman, or to identify with the more weighty and the recent abundance of the adult viewer with nothing better to teen movies. Big teen exciting male characters. do on a windy wet afternoon? The Going from bad to worse we move attendance at picture movie magnates have come a long theatres is big bucks. In on to what Time magazine dubbed way since the Tarzan movies at the the “teenage gross-outs” — male- main centres all round Mew ZealandSaturday matinee. But how far has andD throughout the world teenagers oriented sexual comedy with the male Jane moved along with the times? pour into the main streets on Friday protagonists peering through the et­ At the youngest end of the teenage ernal hole in the girls changing and Saturday nights looking for any spectrum the video/computer age entertaining excuse to get out of their sheds, the losing of virginity (an eter­ has produced a fair share of boy- nally momentous event). You know family homes and be with their genius movies — consider for exam­ friends. the kind of thing — lots of closeups of ple War Games, The Starfighter, large breasts and blonde toothy co­ Above: D.A.R.Y.L., even Back to the Future, eds that don’t seem to exist outside of Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy where the teen male adventurer has the fantasies of the American men in Pretty in Pink. Photo: courtesy Amalgamated the loyal and undying passive support Theatres. who created them. The women say of an outrageously characterless next to nothing. When they do you 26 Broadsheet, October 1986 want to die out of embarrassment (or nerable pout, the sensitive but intelli­ feature, complete with realistic spew­ kill!) for the scriptwriters' lack of per­ gent brown eyes petulantly rolling ing and freaking consequences. ception of female sexuality and intel­ from time to time. But even 1, a sucker Need I add it finishes at the school lect. for vulnerability, have gotten just a lit­ prom! The young women exist merely as tle tired of her mannerisms. The Although not strictly a teen movie sex symbols (if they’re not brunette scripts can be horribly superficial, she Susan Seidelman’s Desperately help-mates) and objects of the dou­ never has any real gumption, and I Seeking Susan (written by Leora ble male gaze — the filmmaker's, and can’t stand a story where she wins her Barish) has marked appeal for teen­ the male audience’s. Humour is man by perserverance and a sicken- age girls and young women. They centred around the visual gag — for ingly moral sweetness. I’m sure Meryl went in droves to see Madonna play example in Bachelor Party the Streep was never like that as a teen­ the free-wheeler with raw sex oozing hero’s fiancee lies squealing on a sexy ager! out of her black lacy pores. Not to kitchen table as he lewdly stands over The most interesting thing to note mention Arquette’s performance as a her presenting her with a frightfully about teen movies is that women in bored housewife who recovers her phallic egg-beater, whirring away. 1 the film industry seem to have gotten identity by changing men and don’t know about you but rather than into the power-pulling roles of editing, abodes. It’s always good, I would hilarious I found the idea of what was directing and producing in significant argue, to see a film produced, di­ to come decidedly uncomfortable! numbers. First from farther afield Lisa rected and scripted by women on That sort of smutty humour is based Gottlieb directed Just One of the commercial release. And as Susan on the insistent degradation of sex Guys as her first feature film, a Seidelman’s star can only be de­ and women’s bodies. I never could switched sex-role comedy that poses scribed as rising we should see more debase myself enough to see Porkys the dilemma of being ambitious and from her in the future. but I suppose it’s a case of when attractive, when being attractive you’ve seen one you've seen them all. means she doesn’t get taken seri­ ometimes American I should’ve stopped at the supposed ously as she tries to get ahead in a films featuring teens classic of the genre Animal House man’s world. A warning— this is still a with more thoughtful back at the tender age of sixteen! male scriptwriter’s view of the state of and interesting char­ Back then I even bothered to try and affairs. Terry takes some humourous acterisations inhabit­ understand what the boys enjoyed. lessons in appropriate male be­ ing the darker (read Now I’d prefer not to know! haviour from her gross-out brother poorer) side of life, reach our shores. Recently, however, there is a breath and does an excellent rendition of Films like Mask about a of ambiguously fresh air on the moving balls to one side of a jean leg. young male teen’s coping with scene. A scene the 18- year-old Hol­ By posing as a boy at a neighbour­ enormous facial deformity, sounds lywood actor Molly Ringwald seems ing high school she becomes a social bizarre but is actually very moving, to have well and truly cornered. Her outcast male where before she was so with Cher playing a realistically flawed roles are always protagonistically terribly terribly p opular (a crucial and sensitive mother brilliantly. That feminine — a kind of teens’ answer to concept). But she does get to write an Was Then This Is How is based on Meryl Streep. She’s certainly the original piece on being one of the the novel by S.E. Hinton — a woman same type of box-office attraction. boys which casts a new light on the who writes about strong teenage She’s invariably in her last years at changing-shed theme. And another male characters, with unfortunately high school coping with social diffe­ warning — the discerning female vie­ the same insipid but attractive female rentials like money and status, indulg­ wer might be somewhat startled by supports in the role of the girlfriend. ing herself in the favourite drama of the opening pan up Terry’s body! You Coppola’s Rumblefish. a cult classic romance and soft-centred sex. I’ve can’t even trust a woman to scrap that of the genre, was also penned by her. seen all her movies (except Tempest) one! The prom scene is distinguished That film has very real cinema merits and I’m still not sure if those kisses only by its wetness. in terms of technique and style, and were supposed to be sexual Girls Just Want to Have Fun writ­ the story does narrate something im­ metaphors or not. Perhaps I’m read­ ten by Amy Spies didn’t end with a portant about a certain situation ing into things! Anyhow, more often prom, but had as its climactic mo­ young teenage men can find them­ than not the climax in these sensitive ment a televised dance competition. 1 selves in. But don’t expect to find the high school dramas is the high went to see it because 1 liked Cyndi young women reflecting any of your school prom dance. By then Molly Lauper’s song, and that was the best own experience. should have her boy. part of it. The closing credits that is. The last film from the GS I’ll com­ The male supports are sometimes Baby It's You is worth checking ment on is Valley Girl. Directed by interesting, but most often not, as in out, directed by John Sayles, a “sensi­ Martha Coolidge, it’s worth more than all the female-focused teen movies. tive male” interested in the female ex­ a cursory look. In many ways it’s no­ By and large any personality is sub­ perience. His script is based on Amy thing better than a stark teen movie in sumed to the time-honoured and Robinson’s own experiences of grow­ the Romeo and Juliet mold — but this time-warped role of the knight in a ing out of adolescence in the 1960s. time Juliet is Julie from the Valley and shining Mustang. John Hughes is the Rosanna Arquette plays a character Romeo is Randy from Hollywood man to watch (or not depending on realistically distasteful in parts, her High. It has the favourite dramatic your taste) for having his creative fin­ immaturity refreshingly real and focal point — the difference in social gers in Sixteen Candles, The Break­ complicated. So’s her boyfriend class Pretty in Pink is supposed to be fast Club and Pretty in Pink. If you Sheik, vividly named after a condom all about. It’s a mix of a good wry ex­ have any doubt about Molly’s mag­ brand. Nor is sex just kissing followed pose of Barbie and Ken Californian netising effect take a note of that vul­ by the curtain. Even dope and alcohol life and a simplistic love story that

Broadsheet, October 1986 27 light-hearted and fun, it has a haunt­ ing atmosphere, an air of doom and despair. I’ll never forget the image of those girls huddled in front of their heaters in white cotton singlets singing “I feel the cold” — that certainly is a bit closer to my adolescence than Molly Ringwald choosing her prom dress! Campion’s latest contribution, Two Friends, a TV movie we got to see at the recent Auckland Film Festival uses the popular blonde/brunette friendship formula. The brunette is more serious of course. It’s a heart­ rending tale of the problems beset­ ting young females who are at the mercy of the whims and fancies of the uses differences in life style (clothes, oneself when one has rejected love parents in power. The brunette has a lingo, night-life and peer groups) to (and perhaps sex), but a period piece terrific mother (I think I detect the put an interesting twist in a boy meets it is and I’m all for putting it in its his­ scriptwriter in there somewhere) and girl film. torical perspective to continue to re­ my biggest problem with an other­ The difficulty is that the Julie lish its very real merits. wise compelling story of how life can character is horribly bland. American The Getting of Wisdom directed by go so wrong and friendship along teen films seem obsessed with the Bruce Beresford is another adapta­ with it, is that the mother has the most popular girl-prom queen tedium — tion of a turn of the century novel of fully developed character. This isn’t boring in that the young maiden in Australian girlhood by Henry Handel really good enough when the two question always discovers that the Richardson (really Ethel Florence). main protagonists are the young fascinating people live on the other This film is a kind of buck-toothed women. In all fairness to writer Helen side of the railway track, and she, poor homage to life at a girls’ boarding Gamer, this could have been because thing, has been missing out because school. Like Sybylla, Laura has an of the less than magnetising perfor­ she’s one of the rich airheads. 1 think especially outgoing and talented per­ mances of the two young actresses Coolidge was genuinely trying to re­ sonality, and she too goes about find­ playing the roles. But Two Friends is veal some home truths to American ing her place in the great adventure of worth seeing, if only for the brilliant youth audiences, but the (male) life with a career tucked under her opening shot of the blonde (having scriptwriters didn’t seem to know how belt. Laura in The Getting of Wisdom more fun of course) sitting on a dark far to go. is pictured having a romantic white beach with a blonde fellow next The soundtrack, incidentally, is friendship with her friend Evelyn, but to her. They stand up and walk away marvellous. In the most visually poe­ I’m afraid it’s like most of the “sensual leaving three or four trash cans stand­ tic of all the prom scenes I have seen, scenes” in movies depicting teena­ ing in their absence, appearing to Josie Cotton and her band sing gers— the kisses and hugs somehow bend with the wind. A poignant com­ “Johnny come on tell me — are you diffuse any passion rather than inti­ ment on life! Other images of mother/ queer?” Come to think of it — where mate it. daughter and female relationships are the “queer” teens in the movies? If with the mention of Picnic at stand out, like buying the school They almost had the next great male Hanging Rock you’re beginning to uniform, adolescent appetites and American writer in St Elmo's Fire see an Australian obsession with lunchtime tanning sessions. The two being gay but they copped out. I’ve young women in lacy bloomers in the young women are real people, with never seen a lesbian teen on the early 1900s you can be forgiven — real choices and futures ahead of screen to date, except for one or two but this one is an incredibly mystical them. I’ll mention later, but even they’re piece all about the effect of an ancient Puberty Blues is a little noted but more connotations than the real land on teenage girls’ sexuality! Enter very good Australian movie scripted thing. here the tragic — and dead — les­ by Margaret Kelly and based on a Closer to home is Gillian bian! book written by two bona fide teenage Armstrong, director of My Brilliant Moving into more modern times sheilas. Two female friends in this one Career, an adaptation of Miles and on to New Zealand’s own Jane find themselves by first trying, and Franklin’s novel written in Australia at Campion. She trained at the Austra­ then succeeding, to get in with the “in the turn of the century. Whilst not lian Film School and continues to set” down on the beach. Watching the targetted for a mainly teen audience work in Australia but even so her im­ male surfies, lying around trying to Judy Davis plays a “positive role- ages — such as in A G irl's Own get laid, or not as the case may be. model” type teen, Sybylla, who flouts Story, a black and white short — But Debbie and Sue do finally win convention and Sam Neil to pursue could just as well be set in New Zea­ their own identities and autonomy her quest for independent selfhood land. It’s a story about schoolgirls in (especially Debbie) — expressed in and fame — an inspiring theme to say the 1960s coping with teenage pre­ their learning to surf themselves the least. Obviously there’s some­ gnancy, kissing posters of popstars rather than being merely insipid pas­ thing a little disquieting about a story and strumming a tennis racket along sive viewers. I’m sure there s a moral that suggests it is only possible to find to Beatles albums. But far from being in that somewhere! □ 28 Broadsheet, October 1986 27 September, 7.30 pm at 23 VIOLENCE AGAINST Opera House, Wellington. 1 Castle St., Grey Lynn. All WOMEN. Three groups fight­ Oct. at Opera House, Pal­ women welcome. For details ing violence against women merston North. 4 Oct. at WHAT'S or for a copy of the group’s have moved into an office to­ Opera House, New Plymouth. newsletter phone Harriet 412- gether: Te Kakano O Te 7-12 Oct. at the Mercury 3448 or Sandi 762-935. Whanau, a national Maori Wo­ Theatre, Auckland. 17-18 Oc­ NEW men’s Network against sexual tober at Forum North, Whan- WOMEN’S HEALTH HUI, abuse (P.O. Box 6218, Te garei. 30 Oct. at Founders 9am Saturday 25 October — Aro); the National Collective of Theatre, Hamilton. 2 Nov. at 1 pm Monday 27 October at Independent Refugees (P.O. Civic Theatre, Rotorua, and 5 AUCKLAND______Orakei Community Centre, Box 6386, Te Aro); and the Nov. at Baycourt Theatre, 156 Kepa Rd, Orakei, Tamaki National Rape Crisis and Re­ Tauranga. A TALK BY JCILIET BATTEN Makaurau. The hui is or­ lated Groups Collective of VIDEOS: “Prejudice and on women artists working to­ ganised by the Tamaki Aotearoa (P.O. Box 6181, Te gether will be given at the Au­ Makaurau Women’s Health Aro) are now located on the Stereotyping”, “Women in Management”, “The Power ckland City Library, 3rd Floor, Network, a network of Maori, 2nd floor, Reid House, above l-2pm Friday 26 September. Pacific Island, Pakeha, women the furniture shop on the Pinch”, “Women’s Changing Role”, “Creating an Equal The video of the 100 Women from other cultures, women corner of Vivian and Cuba Sts, Workplace”, are a few of the Project will be shown. This with disability and lesbian Contact them on 856-767 or videos available on loan free of video can be purchased from women. A priority is to ensure 856-768. that as many Maori women as charge from the Australian Juliet Batten, 98 Marsden Human Rights Commission’s Ave., Mt Eden, for $40.00. possible attend the hui. OVER THE FENCE new Wel­ Women are welcome to share Auckland Video Library. Other lington feminist magazine av­ videos focus on women in CELEBRATING OURSE­ experiences and areas of ailable from mid September common interest in the non-traditional jobs, on sexual LVES, a festival by and for les­ from P.O. Box 9712, Wel­ harassment, and on ways of bians will run at the Ponsonby themes of Reproductive rights lington or the Women’s Place population policies; environ­ recognising discrimination. Community Centre, Ponsonby bookshop, 58 Courtenay For information write to Tee, Tamaki Makau-rau, from mental health hazards/drugs; Place. Take out a sub for community health; health care Human Rights Commission, November 13-16. Workshops, $6.60. P.O. Box 6751, Wellesley St. videos, sport, art displays and systems; indigenous profes­ activities, lesbian craft, books, sionals. Estimated cost — SOGP KITCHEN: Fresh veg­ childcare, story telling and $45. Koha appreciated. gies, meat and other food, as INTERNATIONAL singing, plus continuous food Twenty beds are available at well as volunteers, are needed and drink. Saturday night the Independent Living Centre for an inner city soup kitchen dance with women’s bands, for women with disability and at the back of St Peter’s Berlin Lesbians’ Week, 25 Oc­ and Sunday night concert. their support people. Write to Church, Willis St. on Sundays tober — 1 November will This is an alcohol and drug- the network at P.O. Box 6611, and Mondays. Phone Kiri focus on togetherness — the free festival. Contact Dee, 85 Wellesley St, Tamaki Paipa, 847-163 (wk), 858-596. aspects of our lives that are Clarence St, Auckland 2, ph Makaurau (Auckland), or ring satisfying and strengthening, 768-914 or Cathy 686-111. 836-6381. MAORI WOMEN’S SELF DE­ and, conversely, on negative FENCE TRAINING HOI from aspects such as manipulation, ANY WOMEN INTERESTED HAMILTON______Sunday 2 November to Sun­ heterosexual norms and in alternative systems of fun­ day 9 November. The stereotyped images of draising and investment for Kaupapa of this hui is for womanhood. Women who women, with special emphasis POSITIVELY GAY A seminar Maori women to come to­ wish to participate can contact on making funds available to focussing on issues of con­ gether and share/learn how to Frauenzentrum, Lesben- Maori women contact Char- cern to lesbians, homosexu­ teach self defence courses for woche, Stresemannstr. 40, maine Pountney Phone Ak als, their families and friends, Maori women, and also de­ 1000 Berlin 61, Germany. 774-229 P.O. Box 68053 or is to be held Friday night 10 velop a course involving a Tanya Cumberland Ak 794- October and Saturday 11 Oc­ Maori philosophy of self de­ NEW YORK: viewpoints: A 810. tober. Through sharing joys, fence for Maori women, incor­ Conference on Women, Cul­ fears and anxieties, it is hoped porating traditional methods ture and Public Media. Pro­ ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA that gays will gain strength to of fighting and identity aware­ ducers, programmers, jour­ SUPPORT GROUP offers cope with the discrimination ness. nalists, critics, community and telephone counselling, full­ faced every day in the work­ The hui is open to all in­ media activists will meet at time field worker, self-help place, the courts, and on the terested Maori women, and Hunter College in N.Y. City to support groups and a drop-in streets. Contact Gillian Marie, funding may be available for share perspectives on the im­ afternoon 1 -3 pm Mondays at Centre for Continuing Educa­ travel. Contact: Parekotuku pact of news media on Outreach, 1 Ponsonby Rd. tion, University of Waikato. Ph Moore, c/- 154 The Terrace, women’s lives and to discuss Write to P.O. Box 21-489 or 62-889, ext 4706. Wellington, ph 731 -820 or Kiri the roles women are playing in phone 678-493. Paipa, Community Volunteers, the media. For details write to LOWER HUTT P.O. Box 15098, Wellington, Women Make Movies, Inc., c/o WOMEN WOODWORKERS ph 847-163. Nau mai haere Celia Chong, 41-22 54th and women interested in mai mehemea ka watea Street, 10 Woodside, N.Y. ART EXHIBITION: “People 11377. woodworking (carpenters, and the Land”, a mixed media Wahine ma. joiners, cabinet makers, tur­ installation, and “Drawings NATIONAL WOMEN’S ners and carvers, etc.) meet to and Books”, both by Christine give one another support, ex­ NATIONWIDE STUDIES ASSOCIATION Hellyar will be exhibited at CONFERENCE in Atlanta, change ideas and information, Dowse Art Museum, Laings and to discuss effective ways LIMBS DANCE COMPANY is USA, from 24-28 June 1987. Road, until 5 October. For de­ The conference theme is: of lobbying for women-only tails contact Neil Anderson, in the midst of a ten-week tour, courses at technical institutes. performing three new works: Weaving Women’s Colours; a Education Officer, Box 30396 Decade of Empowerment. All women who share this in­ Lower Hutt. Ph 695-743. “Tarawera — Beneath the terest are invited to attend Mountain”, “Drum Sing”, and Details from NWSA, Emory these meetings. The AGM, fol­ a jazz-dance piece. Prog­ University, P.O. Box 21223, At­ lowed by a party, is to be held WELLINGTON ramme: 25-27 Sept, at State lanta, GA 30322. Broadsheet, October 1986 29 WHEN A LESBIAN IS DYING...

When Jan was dying of cancer Gloria discovered how dependent lesbians are on the goodwill of families. She talked to Pat Rosier, which she found distressing to do but she feels it is important that the story be told.

Jan’s parents had only just discovered she was gay the when they weren’t going to be there, and I’d go out and week before she died, and wanted to keep it a secret. visit her. There was this gap between friends and family. And I believe that is why we were not allowed near her. They had been separate for most of her life. That’s why I am worried — 1 don’t want to hurt her family, And when she went back into hospital the same thing but if something comes out about this, well it might just happened - the people in hospital knew she was gay and stop it happening to one other person. I want people to in the ward — it’s a very special ward — you can come in realise and think a bit before they do these things. and out as you please. You could even ring up at three Going back to about a year ago, the first thing to o’clock in the morning and have a chat about what was establish is that Jan and 1 had been friends for seven happening. And because they understood the situation years, and were lovers for a time. We had parted as lovers with the family and the friend, the gay friend, which at in rather sad circumstances because both of us were that stage was only myself, they allowed the visiting to sick and neither of us knew it. There was a lot of anxiety happen at odd hours. I started work at six o’clock in the about what was happening between us — we thought morning at that time and would go and visit her after we’d just stuffed up again. Then the contact with her was eight o’clock at night when the parents had left. very little until a year ago when she contacted me and This went on for a year. She had times of being out of said she was in hospital and asked me to visit. At that hospital and being sort of well, and we had an amazing stage she had very little chance of living. She had T-cell time, her and Ilene (the woman I live with now) and 1.1 lymphoma, which is a type of cancer than comes from was finding though, that my involvement with Jan was the bone marrow. It is a terminal illness, with remission getting very emotional, I was finding it difficult to define sometimes brought about by chemotherapy. the whole thing and what was happening. There were She had to make this decision whether to go ahead times when she used her illness to get closer to me, to with chemotherapy or not. We spent a lot of time talking manipulate me more and more into her life, so I tried to it over and talking about death and the whole thing and pull back a bit, and encouraged her to go to the lesbian that was one of the reasons I got so very close to her. We support group. became closer even than when we were lovers — 1 was There she got to know a group of women who gave the only person who would talk to her about the fact that her a lot of support. They visited her, took her a lot of she was dying, no matter what. Her parents totally denied cheer, because they hadn’t been run down like I had. the fact that she was dying, they wouldn't discuss her They had all new things to talk about, it was really illness or anything. She was 37, she turned 38 during the wonderful to see. There was a group of 12-13 who shared year that she was sick. She had had very little contact then with her support. And the last time Jan went into with her family at all because of the fact that she was gay. hospital — she was there for five weeks — and she had She spent most of her life away from home. some treatment which, within ten days virtually wiped There were only loose family ties, her women friends her out completely. Chemotherapy kills the good cells as were, as with so many of us, the replacement for family, well as the bad, and if you’re very lucky you’ve got a few where her support and everything came from. Until she good cells to hang in there, and if you’re extremely lucky got ill the family ties were very very slight. they multiply, and if they don’t you stay down, and that’s She came out of hospital and had to make a decision it. This is what happened to Jan very quickly. Some of whether she was going to start treatment or not. She the support group couldn’t cope, and dropped back, decided to give it a go, there was nothing to lose. The because it was a shocking thing to see. When it was treatment itself was absolutely shocking, it was really discovered that this time there was no coming back, she horrific what it did to her, and that was very bad for was not going to pick up at all, she said she wanted to go everyone to watch. home. Her doctor at the hospital didn’t want her to go 1 chose times to visit her when normally the family home. She wanted to go home so she could have all her wouldn't be there, out of consideration for her. She was friends around her. living at her parent’s house then. She would even have to She had spent four years in the Solomon Islands and ring up when her family weren’t there because of how had seen how they deal with death, with touching and she would talk things over on the phone and the phone loving and singing and she wanted that. We felt we could was in the main living area. So she’d ring when her mother give her that, more than her being in a little hospital room. went down the road and got the milk and her father was So on the last day that she was in hospital 1 took her and out on the farm, or whatever. And she’d ring up and say gave her a shower, we had a fantastic time if you can

30 Broadsheet, October 1986 IS THERE ROOM FOR HER FRIENDS imagine that with a person who’s so ill that they’re in a and we just want a private family funeral, none of us are bath chair. 1 have to tell this bit because it makes people coping very well.” understand how bad the situation was, what it was actually 1 was devastated by that, but I’ve got a funny thing like. There’s internal bleeding all the time at this stage, about christian-type funerals anyhow. My main concern because the platelets which cause blood coagulation was the fact that they weren’t going to carry out Jan’s have gone, and they bleed from the nose, mouth, wishes. She had not wanted a Christian funeral, it was to anywhere, a scratch, it just doesn’t stop. There’s no bowel be just some things read out. Her and 1 had also picked or bladder control. In the shower with all this happening, out her plot together, where she wanted to be buried, we still had fun. I took my clothes off and showered her and 1 just felt totally powerless. And 1 kept getting this all over. She was heavily sedated with morphine but she funny feeling that she really wasn’t dead, that they were really enjoyed it. hiding her. 1 still feel that. All the girls from the support Her parents were coming up at ten o’clock to take her group didn’t believe that we weren’t allowed to go to the home with them. That was the only place really for her to funeral either. One by one they each rang the home to go. 1 wasn’t well enough to bring her back here. Her find out when it was going to happen and what was going parents were coming at ten o’clock to have a meeting on. And the last thing one of them was told was “Its with the doctor, to show that they could take her and happening right now.” That was virtually it. care for her. I promised her 1 would stay, to be sure that When the mother told me that Jan had died the night her wishes were seen to, that she could die outside the before, she said “I believe there are a lot of your things at hospital, where she could see the green and that. But 1 Jan’s flat, if you would like to make a list then we’ll return had a doctor’s appointment myself, and I just felt also them to you.” 1 did that, never thinking anything past it that 1 needed to leave. And they got later and later in and I would have liked a lot of her things, just to have coming, so 1 left. They took her home. kept. But 1 didn’t want to be grabby, I’d been told that That night 1 rang to say that 1 was coming out to see “She’s left you some things, but as you know she wasn’t Jan and they said. “Well it’s best if you don’t come, she’s a very mercenary sort of person, nothing of financial in a coma, and her mother’s not handling it very well.” value has been left to you.” And that sort of told me, So 1 said okay, it never clicked. It was her sister that I “That’s your lot”, and I didn’t want to ask for anything talked to. So 1 left it then because that suited me as well, 1 else, even though 1 would have liked to. A little while later was having a bit of a breather myself and getting ready all the things arrived that were mine, that I’d listed, by for the whole thing because 1 knew it was going to be two carrier, just dumped off on the front doorstep. And that or three days of just being there. 1 rang again the next was it. day and was told the same thing. 1 said that 1 wanted to And then 1 heard that Jan had had a lot of books that come out anyhow. 1 iust wanted to be there. people (mostly from the support group) had lent her, “Well we don’t want you to be here, mother isn’t very and they’d got in touch with her family for the return of good,” I was told. The mother isn’t a very well person. the books, and what they’d done was boxed all the books “We will ring you, when it gets closer to the time.” And 1 up sent them to the salvation army. Most of them were said that 1 was not happy about that, but I still accepted it, feminist and lesbian books. Most of them had names 1 trusted them that that would be all right. The support and phone numbers of who they belonged to. group rang to see if they could go out and were told the 1 still haven’t been out to see the grave, 1 still have done same thing. Then they rang me to see if 1 would be able nothing about the whole thing because, although she’s to get them in to be able to be with her. We were all dead I don’t believe it. 1 know that sounds a stupid thing, completely barred from the place. but 1 saw her in that bad state once before and she Three of the support group decided that they weren’t managed to get better again, and I’ve just got this awful going to accept that, they just went anyhow, and walked feeling that they’re hiding her. And yet 1 know that’s so in. And from being in a coma Jan sat up and talked and bloody stupid. laughed — it seemed to them that she was just lying They wouldn’t even let me go out to see her dead. there waiting. 1 still didn’t go, I just couldn’t bring myself They just didn’t want me there at all. We decided to have to invade their privacy, in their home. 1 just couldn't believe a little service of our own. After the funeral her sister rang that they would keep me away all the time, anyhow. So up and talked to me, told me there were some things left the Saturday came and 1 rang again and they said she’s for me and asked me if I held a grudge against the family. in a coma, we’ll ring you. Nothing happened. And I said yes I did, I was very hurt and very upset, and Sunday morning I rang at eight o’clock and they told although 1 understood, 1 still was angry, I couldn’t accept me that she’d died at 11 o’clock on Saturday night and what had happened. I said we were going to have a they’d never contacted me or anything. And then I was ceremony of our own. And she said, “Oh, that’s lovely. told that the funeral notice would be in the paper. So I Would you like a tape of the service that we had to play waited, and on Monday the funeral notice in the paper at your service?” 1 said I would like the tape, but we said private family internment. So I rang up and said wouldn’t play it then because what we had decided was when was the funeral going to be, and these people — to have was each of us just saying something that came I’ve been in their home they’d been in our (Jan’s and from our own hearts, maybe a bit of singing, whatever my) home as well, I just still didn’t accept what happened, happened. We certainly didn’t want their service on a didn’t believe it — well, the father was brought to the tape, if we couldn’t be there at the time. And she said phone and he said, “Well, Gloria, we don’t want you here. “Well that’s really nice.” You people put Jan under duress to act in a certain way When the support group went to put the ad in the Broadsheet, October 1986 31 paper, because Jan had lots of different friends, and she other person out, the lover, the friend, the other people kept different groups separate in her life — she kept her who’ve been your support all that time. And I just can’t gayness as one thing, her Christianity as a worker in the help but wonder how many times it’s happened to other Solomons as another, her family life as another, they all gay people, how many times it’s going to continue to touched very rarely. 1 was accepted out there in the past happen. It’s a terrible thing. And I don’t know what puts it as a gay woman because 1 don’t look like one. I’ve got right. I believe this is a realy important issue that has to children. 1 have known them for as long as I’ve known be talked about. her. They didn’t take a great shine to me as a person, The family actually resented a lot of the care that I because I was outspoken. But I had this close contact gave Jan when she was sick. They really resented it. The with them. father is a chronic alcoholic, all the children had a Anyway, the lesbian support group rang up to put the shocking childhood. They had so little time to spare for ad in the paper. It had nothing in it except that it was a her that they resented any care that anyone else gave, service for her friends. People were going to come here except for hospital staff. It was like making all the past and there were two contact phone numbers for rides out right. to where she is buried. The Herald office asked whether After her first lot of treatment at the hospital, Jan found the family knew that this was going in, and I said yes, and it so difficult to live at home that she went and got a flat. she asked for a contact number, so I gave it. The sister She went home to live with her parents because they’ve denied any conversation with me and they refused to got room, and they’ve got money, they’ve got everything allow the notice to be put in the paper. (Nothing could go that you could have. And they live out in the country. She in the death notices, only in the in memorial section. I went home because that was the only thing she could was supposed to ring the sister and talk it over with her, do. When you can hardly put one foot in front of the but in everything to do with this whole thing I’ve done a other you don’t have many options. But she actually ran denial thing on myself. away from home for two or three nights and got a motel The service that we had planned went ahead, but I because she couldn’t stand it at home any longer — the didn’t go. I just couldn’t bring myself to go. The other lack of privacy, the arguments between her parents, and girls did, they went out, they planted some spring bulbs her father’s drinking. Then I convinced her to get a flat. and it sounds like they had a really nice time out there. I have quite a lot of guilt about the whole thing, because And they say they are going to go back when the flowers once she got on her feet a bit I stepped back a bit, 1 had are blooming. to step back a bit. Like, she would ring up and say she The family must have known for a long time that Jan was sick, so I’d go there, but otherwise I wouldn’t go was gay, but because they didn’t hear it in any words there much, I had my own life to live. So I feel a little bit they could pretend not to know. When Jan and I were guilty about that. lovers we lived together, we slept in the same bed, they What I would like now is to be able to talk to the parents, saw the bed — they helped move the bed. They did all but that’s impossible. I feel like it’s impossible. I want the those sort of things when we lived together. They even whole world to hear this story. I want every parent of a went through the motions at one stage of buying a house gay person to hear and to know the power they actually for Jan and I, to live in so that I could care for her. But have and can abuse. And 1 want them not to do it. actually llene and 1 have bought this house up north and Jan’s parents have missed out on having contact with Jan was going to come with us. a lot of people that Jan knew. There are many things She only told them on the Monday before she died about Jan’s life that they knew nothing about and they that she was gay. She was a real coward about the whole could have talked with these people about them. They issue. Under the morphine she could tell. It came about don’t know Jan, and I would really like to tell them who because her father said, "Who are these funny looking she is, what she was. They put in the paper that she had women who keep coming to see you?” She said, "They’re a life dedicated to others. Well that was utter bullshit — the women from the support group,” “What support she ran away from things. She travelled the world, she’d group?” "The lesbian support group.” “Why do you go to lived in kibbutz, she’d been to jail, they know none of lesbian support?” “I’m a lesbian." “How long have you these things. She didn’t dedicate her life to others she been that?” “Well, at least 15 years.” Jan told me all this. dedicated it to herself and her own preservation — I just The whole attitude from then was shocking. If our couldn’t believe it when I read those words. visiting happened to cross over — they would come in and I'd be sitting on the bed massaging her feet and The whole thing has to do with education. I don’t think legs, whatever, or just holding her — the looks were the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill will make absolutely horrific, almost as bad to contend with as her much difference to this sort of thing, which is to do with illness. The fear on the faces of those people walking in people being bigoted and narrow-minded. It’s to do with and looking at me like that, it was terrible. They knew fear, being frightened — no laws will change that. 1 believe me, and my kids, yet suddenly it was made very clear to that it will help a little if people who look, speak and act them that I was a gay women too and they virtually blamed “socially acceptable" speak up and say this is what’s me for Jan being gay, as though she didn’t have anything happening, this is what you are doing to your sons, to do with it. Well, she was gay a long time before 1 met daughters, friends and it’s got to stop. It is a matter of her. education. It just brought it all out, just how vulnerable we all are. I We have to educate each other, too, to tell our parents, went into hospital and had surgery just three weeks ago “Don't do this, if I get sick, don't do this.” We have to tell and it made me realise just how much a family can come them before we are sick. They have the power, and they in and take over, even if they don’t really know you. You’re are given it by the authorities because they are the family. powerless when you’re sick. The family can just push the □

3>2 Broadsheet, October 1986 I DIDN'T THINK COURT WOULD E LIKE Paula Wallis writes about what can, THAT and often does, happen after a child has told someone that she is being sexually abused.

he principal phoned the social Back at the office, waiting for the paperwork to be worker mid-morning. “We’ve got a completed, the child became silly with relief, She tore 12 year old here who’s told her around, picked up phones, swung in chairs. “When are teacher some story about a relative we going? Where are we going? Which is your car? Can I sexually abusing her. 1 got the answer your phone? What shall 1 say?” deputy to talk to her, then I talked to her and she won’t change her story. I’ve put her in the reading WHY CANT HE BE TAKEN AWAY? room. 1 don’t want her mixing with the Tother kids. Can someone come up and check out On the way in to make the police statement, they her story? This is making things very difficult for us stopped off for lunch. The child had two pies and a here.” milkshake. She was terribly pleased with herself. At the “This lady is a social worker", the principal said to the counselling centre where she was to make the statement, child. “Just be sure you tell her the truth now”, “1 hope she became afraid and didn’t want to leave the car. Inside, things get cracking pretty smartly” said the deputy bad news. “You said it would be a policewoman, not a principal over his shoulder as he left the room. “She police man" said the child, edgy with tears. They had a shouldn’t be here. It’s not right.” long wait before a policewoman arrived. The social worker waited until they’d left the room. “1 was four when he first did it said the child to the “Been giving you a hard time?” After the preliminaries policewoman. I can’t remember if he used to take my the story spilled out.” I can only tell it backwards “said pyjama top or pyjama bottom off first. I think he did it the child and started to cry.” I can’t tell it forwards. 1 can every night but it might have been just the nights Mum tell it backwards from last night. 1 can’t tell it forwards was out. 1 can’t remember when 1 started bleeding down from when I was little.” The child had skinny arms and there. It was before 1 started school. I thought 1 was dying. legs and wispy blond hair. I was too scared to tell anyone. I thought it was a game at The social worker explained to the child what they first. But he only played it with me. He had this bed-thing could do and what could happen. “You decide everything” in the garage. It smelt of petrol. 1 bet all the white stains said the child “make it like it was for the other girl you are still on it. You could go and see it if you don’t believe told me about. The one you saw yesterday whose father me,” said the child to the policewoman. did it to her. I want it to be like that. 1 don’t want to go “No, he didn't ever say anything when he was doing it. home. They’ll kill me when they find out I’ve told.” 1 didn’t either. I didn’t tell him to stop doing it but he knew because 1 used to cry. 1 told Mum though and she said Above: Lisa was molested many times by three male relative's arid drew this when she was eleven years old. From the Sexual Abuse of Children by don’t be silly, he’s like a father to you. I told Nana and Miriam Saphira. second edition. Grandad had a talk to him. He stopped doing it for a

Broadsheet, October 1986 33 while after that. Then he started again. The same as of telling about the abuse — making a police statement before. He didn’t stop for long. Shall I tell her about when having a medical examination, making court he did the white stuff in my mouth” whispered the child appearances, being removed from home, being fostered to the social worker. The social worker nodded. The — constituted another type of abuse no less real than policewoman wrote it all down. the abuse they had already suffered. When they were “It's a good statement,” said the policewoman. It living through the upheaval and confusion that followed seemed an odd comment to make given the their telling, many expressed a wish that they had never circumstances. “Even if he denies, there’s such a lot in it. said anything. They had wanted the abuse to stop. They You’ll make a good witness won’t you’,’ the policewoman had not wanted all this. said to the child. “I’m not going to court if he’s there” The aftermath for the child can be confusing and said the child. “I don’t want to see him again. I don’t want frightening in a number of ways:- to get him into trouble. He’ll say it was my fault. They’ll • If her abuser is prosecuted she will have to give evidence believe him. If he goes to prison he’ll blame me. It’s not at a depositions hearing in the District Court. The abuser fair.” will be present while she relates what he did to her. The child sat in her foster home the next day. “I hate • If the case goes to the High Court she will again have him because he won’t admit it’s true. He did it. He knows to give oral evidence in the presence of the abuser and a it’s true. I hate her because she believes him not me. She number of other people. She will probably be subjected knows it’s true. I hate them. I feel sick” said the child. to cross-examination by the abuser’s solicitor. This cross- “I’ve got a pain here in my stomach. Last night I had nightmares. I was scared and I wanted to put the light on WHY DOESN’T EVERYTHING HAPPEN but I couldn’t remember where the switch was. I think I’m homesick but I’m scared to go home.” IN THE SAME COURT? “1 didn't think court would be like that” said the child as they drove back to the foster home after the Children’s examination will be designed to discredit her story. Court hearing. “It’s not fair. Why can’t he be taken away? • If she is in need of protection herself there will also be Mo-one asked me what happened. 1 hate having to wait proceedings in the Children and Young Person’s Court. in the same room as him. He kept looking at me. I hated This will probably involve about four appearances in the it. What did that man in the court mean when he asked court. If the abuser is a parent or guardian he will also be you if my story was fantasy?” present at these court hearings. “I had nightmares again” said the child as they walked • She will probably have to wait at least three or four up the drive to the foster home. “ I feel sick all the time. months for the conclusion of these court cases. This will It's those pills the doctor gave me. I hate putting that ensure that the details of the sexual abuse are kept ointment down there. How long do I have to do that for? I continually in her mind during this time. miss my little sisters. It’s not fair he won’t let me see them. • She may be subjected to considerable emotional Just because they’re his kids and I’m not. Some boys at pressure to withdraw the charges or change her story. school have found out and they’re calling me names. I • She will probably be kept in Department of Social don’t want to go to that school any more. They’re calling Welfare custody for her protection because the abuser me rude names. What’s a slut?” will probably be bailed. This means that the child, the “Why doesn’t everything happen in the same court" victim, is held in custody while the perpetrator, the abuser, asked the child as they drove in for the High Court trial remains at liberty. three months later? “Why is there one court for me and a • For the child this means removal from her home and different one for him? Anyway, how come 1 keep going to separation from her family while the abuser remains in court? 1 haven’t done anything. It’s stupid. We’ve been to the home and continues his usual way of life as though that other court three times and they’ve never done nothing had happened. anything.They just keep telling us to come back on • The child will probably be placed in a foster-home. another day.” This may be in a different suburb which will mean that in “They didn't believe me" said the child as they drove addition to living with strangers she will have to attend a back to the foster-home after the High Court hearing. new school and be surrounded by unfamiliar people That lawyer tried to make out 1 was lying. He made me both at home and at school. feel stupid. It wasn’t fair him asking me those questions • During the lengthy waiting period the child will probably with uncle sitting there listening. I couldn't say it in front be assailed by worries and doubts — should she have of him. I didn’t want to cry. He got me all confused. It told? what questions will she be asked in court? will they wasn’t fair.” believe her? will the abuser find out the address of the “But what’s going to happen when he gets out?” said foster-home? will they know about it at the new school? the child back in her own home. “He only got six months. does everyone really think it’s her fault? □ What if he starts doing it again? I’m scared of him. Mum gets angry with me. She’s worried about money. She’s got to be on a benefit because he’s in prison. That’s The child fictionalised has experienced the complex and because of me telling. I’m scared about when he gets confusing court procedures outlined below: out. My little sisters miss him and they blame me because THE CHILD VICTIM AND THE COURTS he’s not here. Mum cries all the time. I’m scared.' This is a fictionalised account of what can happen to a child from when she first tells someone she has been ^ Preliminary Children and Young Persons Court hearing. sexually abused. It is based on the experiences No plea is entered by the this year of a number of girls who have been sexually mother and the alleged abused and who have told. For these girls the aftermath abuser. Another date is set for

34 Broadsheet, October 1986 a pre-trial conference in two weeks. 9

W Pre-trial conference between all parties involved. 9

W Second Children and Young Persons Court hearing. The mother and alleged abuser denied there was any truth in the child's allegations. Another date is set for a denied hearing in three months. 9

W Depositions hearing in the District Court. Evidence is heard in order to ascertain if the alleged abuser has a case to answer. A High Court trial date is set in three months. MY SAFE PLACE 9 Some girls I’ve heard of have their own room And some have their very own bed, But I’ve got a place high up on the wall ^ Third hearing in the Children Where I’ve tied my doll so she can’t fall and Young Persons Court. This is a denied hearing where And I know she’s safe instead. witnesses are called and And when in the night I’m woken up cross-examined. The case is And there’s fingers in my hair proved and a date is set for dis­ position. I try to pretend I’m up on the wall Tied tight to my doll so I can’t fall And it isn’t me down there. C> Gillian Edwin

Fourth hearing in the Children WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN and Young Persons Court. A two week postponement is HE GETS OUT? made to await the outcome of the High Court trial. Once the court proceedings are over and the abuser imprisoned, the child will probably return home. The 9 abuser will probably receive a fairly short sentence — nine months, 12 months, 18 months. Once back home # High Court trial. The child again the child will live with the knowledge of his pending must give evidence and be release and probable return home. subject to cross-examination. Telling about sexual abuse is an immense undertaking for a child. Unfortunately it doesn’t end there. For many children, telling about the sexual abuse signals the 9 beginning of a new period of abuse. The abuser is no longer the child molester. The abusing ^ Fifth hearing in the Children agent is now the system set up to “protect" the child. □ and Young Persons Court re­ sults in the disposition of the Letters about the way the court and social welfare systems treat case: the child is to return sexually abused children could be directed to the Minister of Justice, home. Geoffrey Palmer, Parliament Buildings, Wellington; your local district law society: your local member of parliament. Send a copy of letters to the Ministry of Women's Affairs (and tefl them if you don't need them to answer). They will work on problems iike this at departmental and ministerial level if they get the information.

Broadsheet, October 1986 35 HEALTH such literature. We must do it thus earned a richly deserved excercises, affirmation, medi­ because otherwise this huge but long-awaited critical tations and other psychic tools reality for one-third of all acclaim. for furthering feminist growth. OVERCOMING FOOD women will be romanticised or Spiral/Hodder & Stoughton, Feminism is the foundation of ALLERGIES buried or trivialized or pbk, $14.95 Diane’s commitment to the Gwynne H. Davies mocked, like so much else of ethics of nonviolence, love, This book explains to the lay our history and culture.” THE ROUNDNESS OF EGGS concern for others and for person how to identify food al­ Cleis Press, pbk, $24.50 Lisa Greenwood self-responsibility. lergy and then to remove its This startling first novel is The Crossinq Press, pbk, WHY ME? causes. Subjects include test­ about the chill winter of self- $27.25 ing for allergy, foods predo­ Lynn B Daugherty discovery that begins when minantly at fault and the re­ This book was written to be delusions fall away in the face lationship of allergy to prob­ read by victims of child sexual of the demands of others. lems such as arthritis, asthma, abuse who are now teenagers Deadly accurate in its observa­ INITIATION or adults. It is also intended for tions. depression and pre-menstrual In Auden? Sgypt... tension. counsellors or other people Benton Ross, pbk, $17.95 In Twentieth Century Europe... Ashgrove Press, pbk, $14.95 who want to understand and help these victims. FICTION HAVING TO: The world of Mother Courage Press, pbk, one parent families $15.95 E E Cashmore THE HANDMAID’S TALE One parent families have bro­ THE POLITICS OF M argaret Atwood ken free of many of the con­ HOUSEWORK Brilliantly conceived and exe­ straints of the conventional Ellen Malos cuted, this powerful evocation family and have entered a Ellen Malos examines the of 21 st century America under world where their choices are economic history and political post-feminist totalitarian rule limited by a society clearly not economy of housework reve­ gives full rein to Margaret At­ equipped to deal with this new aling the contradictions in the wood’s devastating irony, wit type of family. This important, centre of the family which re­ and acute perception. readable and thought-provok­ produces in a horrifying Johnathan Cape, hbk, $25.95 ing book is based on over 200 parody all the unequal power detailed and frank interviews. relationships and injustices of JEAN RHYS: The Early The result is a revealing and the wider society. Novels INITIATION moving account of what life is Diana Athill Elisabeth Halch like in the world of one parent Epitaph for a Tired Housewife These four novels collected in This is the story of one families. Here lies a poor woman who one volume reveal a writer woman’s spiritual and psychic Allen & Gnwin, pbk, $16.95 always was tired who was ahead of her time in odyssey through two lifetimes. She lived in a house where style and content. These In Ancient Egypt a young girl is help was not hired. stories hold and haunt their prepared for her initiation into Her last words on earth were, readers because they call up the mysteries of the priest­ “Dear friend, I am going emtions, places, atmosphere, hood; in twentieth century Where washing ain’t done, nor even physical sensations with Europe a woman who is at sweeping nor sewing; such a powerful freshness. once mother and child strug­ But everything there is exact to Andre Deutsch, hbk, $35.95 gles to conquer the power of a my wishes, corrupt civilisation. I’ll be where loud anthems will SPIRITUALITY Allen & Gnwin, pbk, $16.95 always be ringing: But having no voice I’ll be clear MAGAZINES of the singing: CRYSTAL VISIONS Don’t mourn for me never; Diane Mariechild I’m going to do nothing for This book outlines nine medi­ ILLUSIONS ever and ever.” tations for personal and The second issue of this New Allison & Busby, pbk, $18.50 planetary peace by Diane Zealand magazine of film tele­ Mariechild author of Mother- vision and theatre criticism is wit. She believes “Peace is a now available. Published quar­ NEW ZEALAND personal choice. It begins with terly it provides thoughtful and the individual willing to make provocative writing. Single is­ peace with internal conflicts, sues, $3.00. VOICES IN THE NIGHT THE HOUSE OF TALKING transforming doubt and fear Toni McNaron, Yarrow CAT into certainty and love.” RACE GENDER CLASS Morgan J C Sturm The Crossinq Press, pbk, This journal publishes both in- This book is on women speak­ J C Sturm began writing in the $ 21.00 depth and shorter contribu­ ing about incest — a book 1940s, the first Maori short tions to assist understanding only women could publish. story writer to be widely pub­ MOTHER WIT: A Feminist of Maori self-determination, The authors believe “. . . We lished. But it was not until Guide to Psychic feminism and socialism. Its must print our voices ourse­ 1983 that this collection of her Development hope is to encourage analysis lves and review those printings stories was published by Spi­ Diane Mariechild and research through debate, and write serious criticism of ral, a women's collective, and Mother Wit is a collection of linking the struggles against

36 Broadsheet, October 1986 all torms of oppression: race, and provocative case: that gender and class. feminism, far from presenting O R D E R F O R M Single issues, $6.00. a radical challenge to sexism, actually shares its most funda­ Please send these books: PORNOGRAPHY AND mental and mistaken assump­ VIOLENCE AGAINST tions about women’s place in WOMEN AND CHILDREN society. Carol McMillan argues This is a research paper pro­ tht in attacking the “tyranny of duced by women against por­ nature” and “oppression of nography. It examines the sex roles,” feminists are mis­ areas of media violence; por­ sing the point. What are really nography, — attitudes and be­ at stake are the popular mis­ haviour; pornography models conceptions that ultimately My name is: .. and actors; and some charac­ lead to an undervaluing of teristics and trends in pornog­ women. My address is: raphy. $13.50 (fundraising Blackwell, pbk, $25.95 venture). I enclose (including $ 1.00 packing and postage per book) $ POISONED REIGN NONFICTION Bengt Danielsson, Marie- Therese Danielsson Poisoned Reign traces the his­ SUBSCRIPTION WINTER IN THE MORNING tory of French nuclear involve­ Janina Bauman ment in the Pacific. It also I would also like a $29 subscription for myself □ for my friend □ to Gsing diaries she kept as a shows how the tests have been sustain Broadsheet $40 : Other rates on the contents page...... teenage girl, Janina Bauman’s used to strengthen colonial rare eye witness account de­ rule in French Polynesia. scribes the horror of the siege Levels of radioactive fall-out and surrender of Warsaw in and sea contamination, and 1939. This is an extraordinary the extent of damage to story of courage and survival. Moruroa itself, have remained ...... c; Virago, hbk, $25.95 a closely-guarded military sec­ My name is: ...... ret. Gsing personal accounts, My address is: .... WOMEN, REASON AND research and documentary NATURE material the authors expose Carol McMillan French nuclear colonialism. Send to Broadsheet, Box 68-026, Newton, Auckland N Z This book argues an original Penguin, pbk, $13.99 PLEASE ADD 10% GST TO ALL PRICES OCTOBER PENGUINS I thought it only happened to

Lisa Alther BY THE AUTHOR Other Women (Penguin paperback) $10.99 Inc. G.S.T. -O F KIN FLICKS Caroline Kelly is thirty-live and feeling isolated and bewildered. All her life she’s been a member of the caring professions, but now, after a series of unsuccessful relationships, she finds she is in need of some care and comforting herself. Now she tries psychotherapy, in a mature story of her road to self­ understanding and greater awareness. In a more serious vein than Kin Flicks, Lisa Alther’s previous bestseller, Other Women has all the humour, irony and honesty that makes it a telling insight into the contemporary woman. PNW 1599

Broadsheet, October 1986 37 i WIFE A N D MOTHER THE N £ HE-KWIP HOMEMAKER ADMINISTERING AUGl>4*r THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF -FUe WomM, THE HOME,

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?r,udemT(AL A^URANCE T«AlNllKiG AAANUAL THAMKS TO ALL CONTRIBUTORS -frowv Dt2k»v2k Please send your contributions ^KtrTciiff, to BROADSHEET, Box 68-026 (Lk/iS-tcWwdrt Newton, Auckland, 1.

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33 Broadsheet, October 1986

I WHISKY AND which is rightly the primary WHITEBAIT focus of this production. Sometimes the delivery of A profile of Keri Hulme poems becomes too self-con­ devised and presented scious — I preferred the solid matter-of-fact style of Gina by Susan Battye and Howe’s presentation of a students of Epsom Girls* poem from Moeraki Conver­ Grammar School______sations. The acting on the and whole is good — I’d like to mention especially Taryn- STORIES FROM THE Fiona Banks’ impressive por­ RIVER______trayal of the dying kaumatua of the bone people. by Sylvia Ashton-Warner Published by Hodder The final words of this character are cried out: "How and Stoughton 1986 do you weigh the value of this $14.95 country’s soul?” In the audi­ ence I echo his question. It happened that I was given Maori words are sometimes these two works to review at not understood (piu piu for the same time. I choose to pupu) and for the most part write about them together be­ poorly pronounced by this cause they have both raised mainly Pakeha group. The an­ questions for me about guish of “Aue... my bones are Pakeha people using Maori flour/ground to make an alien material in our creative work. bread” was accompanied by In both cases the presenters of giggling and shuffling behind the work are people with the scenes. This moment dis­ whom I have a lot in common turbed and angered me. in terms of interest and experi­ I think that in the world of ence and therefore the ques­ 1986 Pakeha people have to tions raised are ones that are look very carefully at our important to me. reasons for using Maori mate­ Janet Potiki Photo: Nicky Brown rial in our creative work, know­ I went to Whisky and ing that we may exploit and Whitebait twice; once at THE ELECTRIC BALLROOM denigrate Maori culture and Theatre Corporate where the people without even being presence of so much unadult­ A new but temporary venue in Wellington, formerly a disco, conscious of it. 1 felt that this erated young woman-energy happened at moments in on the stage delighted me. My destined for demolition, was taken on by Angela Main and Julie Reidy and turned into a homegrown music and food Whisky and Whitebait. second viewing in the Epsom Ngahuia Te Awekotuku says Girls’ drama room was very space. They called it The Women’s Festival and it ran from 22-24 in her conversation with much a family affair and with Elizabeth Eastmond and Pris­ the relaxation I saw more August. It started off with a real festival feeling. Highlights for dancing were Putty In Her Hands, Charlotte Yates and Chris­ cilla Pitts in Antic “because the clearly some of the elements Maori world is still heavily in the piece and its perfor­ tine Jeffs joined by Debbie Frame on sax and Alison Wallace on violin. Dead Famous People proved a popular act, a mix­ under siege, we are still a mance which I’d sensed ear­ threatened society in many lier. ture of ex-Freudian Slips and Wahine Disaster. Christchurch’s Thunderbirds didn’t really deliver as a ways, we are consolidating our resources, we are reclaiming Senior students of drama at group but their saxophonist Debbie Frame proved herself a Epsom Girls’ Grammar real favourite of the weekend. Janet Potiki, an artist with many our strength... And I think the School, working with their talents, gave an original rendition of song, story and poetry. making of art, the creation of teacher Susan Battye, have Out of Compost, an acoustic trio, gave a good measure of more items of cultural beauty should be our right." created a vivid, varied and clever music and harmonics. faithful portrait of Keri Hulme Many performances however seemed experimental. Per­ It is not my intention to say through a compilation of her forming from behind pieces of paper and for 30 minutes at a as a piece of dogma that poetry and prose. The selec­ time, proved a bit much even though the lyrics were often shows like this should not be tion is skilful, the dramatisa­ clever. written and performed. But tion of stories ingenious, the Women film-makers screened and discussed their work, once they are made the spirit direction simple and effective, and impressed us yet again with their down to earthness. No in which they are carried moving us smoothly through Hollywoods here. The whole three days was videoed by Patsy shows the extent to which the a succession of brief scenes. Deverall with support from Karen and Kene. The sound set­ artists have the stature or Movement is used, with live tled down after a few teething problems, thanks to Sue Bar- strength to sustain and fully music in the form of a superb low. Lighting was adequate but not flashy. □ present the content of the violin/cello duo, as the main Di McMillan work. I had the feeling that adjunct to the spoken word these young women are learn-

Broadsheet, October 1986 39 ing about this as they continue Place” conjured up memories vent for the past 30 years. to perform their theatre piece. NGA KOKAKO HUATARATARA and even smells of my own Pauline talked about the The Notched Plumes o f the Kokako turangawaewae... background to this move. There is no doubt about Syl­ "... muted bush in hollows “Once the call went out, the via Ashton-Wamer's stature as lie, call to move out of the con­ anyone who has read her au­ with bones of whanau un­ vents and into the community, tobiography / Passed This disturbed,...” the nuns took it very seriously. Way will know. Yet her book You allow both Maori and One of the interesting things Stories from the River fills me Pakeha to identify with, experi­ about changes that have taken with an uneasiness similar to ence and understand mutual place in convents is that the that 1 felt at moments during values of aroha, whanaun- women did it themselves. Whisky and Whitebait. These gatanga, whenua, rangimarie, They took their lives and eighteen stories are a mixture and whakama. Kia ora. shook them out like a rug — of fairy tale, legend and Why are your talents, which and it was very painful. There realism. Some of them are are expressed so admirably in was some very deep polarisa­ “children s stories”, others ob­ this most beautiful collection tion. We had lived what we had viously intended for adults. of poems, not more readily av­ thought was a community life They are all marked with the ailable to the people of — and it was to a very great ex­ emotional intensity and sense ARAPERA HINEIRA KAA BLANK Aotearoa? It is not often that I tent, but it was quite in­ of verbal dramatics that stitutionalised — and we characterise Ashton-Warner's get to experience work of this calibre and it makes me sad to thought we got on well to­ writing. A sense of place, a gether. It’s a pretty supportive magical mythical version of think that others are not able kind of set up, a convent. But the Wanganui River valley per­ to have the same opportunity. NGA KOKAKA (I have not seen this book on when we started to talk about vades all the stories, giving our lives in community meet­ them a full exotic atmosphere: HUATARATARA:______any bookshelves here in Dunedin.) I don’t even know ings, our yardstick was the “See once more the colours of The Notched Plumes of woman who founded our paua and the iridescent how much it costs, but I am the Kokako sure it is worth the asking order in 1841, and she had set plumage of Tui; the feasts and Kaituhi: Arapera Hlneira out to meet the needs of the the brawls, the House and the price. (The copy l have en­ joyed was sent to me by a Dublin poor at that time. And Store, the storms and the sun Koa Blank member of the Broadsheet when we asked ourselves what and the Landing and lovely Nga Pikitia: Toi Maihi, collective, which l reluctantly would she do if she were here Lindens.” Kay Herrick, Paula Reid. returned.) I do intend to purch­ now it became apparent that This writer also articulates Published by Arapera ase my own copy when I find she would be doing some an outlet. pretty radical things. insights which are remarkable, Blank and the Waiata especially for the time in which Kia ora to Broadsheet col­ “We tried to see how we re­ she was writing. Hers is a voice Toa Trust $12.95 ad d GST lective for giving me the op­ lated to the world we were liv­ that still hasn’t been fully heard portunity to acknowledge a ing in — I suppose the most or honoured in her own land, E kui, Arapera, he Wahine ron- woman of talent, a Maori obvious thing was our dress, at least partly because she was gonui o o tatou kaituhi, tena woman of talent, a Ngati which we had really never a woman who refused to con­ koe. Ko wai au? I have asked Porou woman of talent. □ questioned. It was a symbol in form to the dictates of the myself this question and many ways. But the fact was male-controlled establish­ agonised over the enormity of Hei teina, that nuns I thought 1 was quite ment. As such she is an impor­ the task set me by the Broad­ Na Powhiri Rika-Heke close to, women that I felt 1 had tant part of the tradition of sheet collective. Who am I to a lot in common with, could Pakeha women and 1 find voice an opinion about the suddenly take, when it came to much of her writing compel­ work of so skilled and able a A CHANGING ORDER deeper issues, a stand right at the other end of the pole from ling. user of words? Pauline O’Regan Yet she is also capable of a I feel very whakaiti as l begin. say where I might be. That was gross stereotyping that I find More so because l am not a Allen and Unwin, 1986 a really painful experience for embarrassing and appalling. fluent speaker of Maori though $15.95. Pauline is all of us. Such phrases as “his Maori l understand a little and am interviewed by Pat “All this had started in the smile” (p 66) or “the Maori learning more each day. How­ mid-sixties, and it was so bad, communal mind” (p 91) are ever, l do know enough of the Rosier our polarisation went so deep, evidence of a psychological reo to appreciate your exper­ that in 1970 I think it was, we distancing from Maori people tise and ability, e kui, both in Pauline O’Regan is a nun and invited a nun from America to which underlies all of this work Maori and in English. a feminist. She is living now, as come and facilitate us towards and seriously taints it. The composition of many she was some years ago, in a reconciliation. We stopped all house in the Christchurch talk of change for the time 1 see Pakeha people as of your poems in both lan­ guages gives a wider perspec­ suburb of Aranui. Allen and being and nearly 200 of us being in a double bind at this Unwin have just published her gathered in one place and just moment in our cultural evolu­ tive to an idea/a theme — helps to round it out. Each book, A Changing Order. She spent two days looking at what tion: we can’t write or perform feels that, at 64, she may well had happened to us. That was as if we were in Europe, yet poem was able to stand on its own yet, at the same time, have more books to write — a watershed really because we neither can we simply approp­ which she does in longhand looked at polarisation, we riate Maori material in our at­ each complements the other. Writing is a means of com­ on the backs of used papers, looked at tension and the con­ tempt to come to an identity as “very fast, as it comes.” The flicts that had arisen between people of Aotearoa. What we munication. Some do it well, some not so well. E kui, you do typing comes later. those who thought there had are involved in is much more A Changing Order starts in to be change and those who complicated — the sticky un­ it remarkably well. Your writ­ ings not only engaged my 1973, at the point where resisted it. It didn’t always fall comfortable process of de­ Pauline and two other nuns left into the old and the young, it constructing the colonialism sense of sight but also brought into play my sense of hearing, the convent and went to live in was mainly nuns in their mid­ that still governs our thought a state house at Aranui, a dle years who had the difficulty and feeling processes. □ the cadence of your poems I have heard on marae in move taking them away from really. Some of the old women whaikorero and waiata. “Ran- the secure, structured, familiar were very radical. Felicity Day gitukia Reminiscences Soul life they had lived in the con­ “We had never had any ex-

40 Broadsheet, October 1986 perience of conflict on this much. But of course once we hood, it’s supposed to be top scale. And this woman from got there our lives became in­ of the heap for value and yet America, who had been tertwined with those of the the people who are actually through it all — nuns in the women in their houses on the doing it, and doing it very well, United States were at least five street. A really marvellous ex­ are made to feel as though years ahead of us — really pro­ perience.” they are sort of spongers or vided us with skills of discern­ When asked whether she something. Our response to ment and looking at tension, called herself a feminist, this was one of considerable and also not being too terrified Pauline replied: “Yes. And for anger and that anger was quite of it. She was pretty good. We me this means at the bottom high in motivating us to get in­ came out of that a bit line, that women, right in their volved in issues.” euphoric, but of course all the houses, and their families get “Sometimes I think that hard work was still ahead of us. greater control over their own perhaps a real feminist would And it isn’t finished yet. lives, and greater freedom. It think we soft pedal too much. “Our move, the three of us might be something as small We certainly see the ideal, but into the house in Aranui, was as a course at the local high we are terribly conscious of quite a tension point, even school. We see it in quite small the effects that certain though the order supported things because it has to start changes will have in women’s us, strangely enough. But there before another decision lives and we want to reflect there is a gap between theory, is made, and another one. with them about that. I have in terms of saying “that’s a god When women make that first got a rather exalted, and thing to do”, and accepting the decision for themselves we get perhaps quite unreal picture of implementation of it. I find one inordinately excited, no-one feminists, but of course being of the most interesting things else would understand why, a real feminist is having wis­ in all change is that gap, and I but we have seen it so often — dom, and caring about what imagine that it’s true far once you’ve done it, once happens to women. When we beyond anything that I saw in you’ve made a decision for run our assertiveness courses our lives. Religious orders tend yourself and acted on it, you're for the local women we regard to make quite good state­ on your way. On another level I them as just a beginning, be­ ments about how things think that the mess the world is cause the local Polytech does should be, but they don’t al­ in has got a lot to do with the wonderful things. Change has ways get on and do it. And no­ lack of women in policy-mak­ got to be an ongoing process. I thing happens until you actu­ ing areas. generally do the course, be­ ally act! 1 find that with sexist “For me an area of great im­ cause I’ve always sidestepped things, too. Everyone can live portance for women is lack of being assertive and I always with the theory but it’s the mo­ share where I’ve failed and Photo: Courtesy Allen and Unwin self-confidence. The low self­ ment that you want people to esteem, women looking down share the excitement of actu­ actually act differently that the on themselves. We had been ally saying no. For most of the reaction begins. I read some­ quite a lot. A fairly high propor­ brought up in a climate where women the whole matter of where that sometimes we mis­ tion of the Samoans that live in to some extent there was a val­ saying no is possibly one of take heated argument for ac­ the South Island are living in ue put on not thinking highly the biggest. We use role play a tion.” Aranui. And Vietnamese. of yourself, but because we lot, but we're always very sup­ Pauline writes at the begin­ People that come new to the had lived with other women portive of the woman who ning of the book: “We had only country and new to Christ­ who affirmed us we didn’t re­ comes back and says ‘I didn't one goal: to try and be good church. They get a state ally know what it could mean do it.’” neighbours and to do every­ house. Quite sadly, there is a to have such low self-esteem Pauline writes about a com­ thing we could to build up mentality that you move up and to really believe it. I don’t munity action where local neighbourliness all around us. and out, there s a lot of mobil­ think I ever believed that I was people paid only 3/4 of their It was simple and realisable, ity. And 1 think that our stability the dirt under anyone else’s power bills, because they were and in the intervening years we in staying in the one housing feet, even though I sounded incensed at having to pay have had no reason to modify unit for 14 years has done nicely humble. I had a good more for electricity than indus­ it.” Part One of the book de­ something important. It shows appreciation of myself. So it tries were. They eventually had scribes how they came to that we think it’s a good place was really shocking because their power cut off and lived “perceive the depth and qual­ to live and we enjoy it and what we saw was something without it for a month. Pauline ity of women in our society”, make no bones about it. When so different from what they has a strong belief in the and how they gradually be­ we moved into that unit — it’s perceived in themselves. Just power of community actions: came part of their community. on the corner and opposite the to see their courage and the “I think that anywhere where In Parts Two and Three burger bar and there’s a terri­ resources that they called on people step out of line and do Pauline writes about her early ble lot of noise — the longest — solo women particularly. something different and lack­ life and work as a Catholic nun anyone had stayed was 18 We thought they were marvell­ ing in respectability and are in the order of the Sisters Of months. We live there as ordi­ ous, and yet they thought so prepared to live with that it’s Mercy. Part Four deals with the nary tenants. The good things badly of themselves. very important. Another thing I changes within the convent about that unit are that it's not “I think society and the liked about that particular ac­ and outside that led to the a place that anyone aspires to church (all churches) are re­ tion was that no-one could women in the Aranui com­ live in and it’s a real commun­ sponsible for this low self-es­ have done it as an individual. It munity and the Sisters of ity place where people come teem. Society doesn’t do any­ involved women and men, Mercy re-defining their re­ in easily. We feel that’s very im­ thing to build up the esteem of and I thought it did the men a lationship to each other. The portant. women, particularly women in lot of good because things like book ends in the new suburb “Most of our work has been the house. Attitudes that de­ status and respectability are so of Parklands, talking of com­ with women because that’s veloped in the seventies to important to them. It brought munity actions over power bill who are there, right in front of women on the DPB were ab­ home to me the power there is increases and unwanted de­ us. We didn’t know that before solutely monstrous: the in people acting together. velopments. Pauline is now we went, we were absorbed in women felt ashamed, yet they There wasn’t enough incen­ back in Aranui and says of it school life, all of us were had every right to it. And we tive in the electricity bill thing today: teachers. To be really honest have all these high-faulting to create a revolution, but it did “The context has changed we didn’t know anything very things said about mother­ show how far people can go if

Broadsheet, October 1986 41 they have the incentive to act others that is passed on im­ making a commitment to a seek it. We had two things that together! A month without perceptibly until enough community of people that is we were very clear about (the electricity is quite an experi­ people are empowered to grounded in eucharist and rest were mostly unclear). One ence, as we discovered. bring about change. But it is a coming together — it’s quite a was that we were going to be Another thing it brought home slow process and those who poweful thing — and then, financially independent, and to me was that this is what is take the initiative seldom live from that, going out. I think it that has been the most impor­ being done to people. 1 think to see the good that is ulti­ comes together only to go out, tant step that we took. We having your power cut off is a mately effected." and if it doesn't go out I don’t managed it by having one of very heavy retribution on Pauline does not see the think it should come together. us always being the breadwin­ people who don't — who can’t Pope’s visit to New Zealand as These ideas go right back — ner and gradually we got older, — pay their power bill. Many of very significant, apart from its people say it’s a radical con­ and just by turning 60 we bring the people in that action went historical aspects. She says, cept, but it’s a very ancient in some money! It turns being in the to the Power Board and “The only really significant re­ one. During those early cen­ 60 into something really asked to see someone and ality that I see that the church turies after christ Christians worthwhile. We are financially told them what it was like to be has is in local communities. It were persecuted. The end of independent and that gives us without power. The women in can be quite an important pre­ that early Christianity came greater freedom to make the Aranui that we knew who had sence there, to help create with the emperor Constantine decisions we feel are approp­ had their power cut off more human environments. who saw that instead of perse­ riate. At different points, you couldn’t do that. There is just It’s got a lot going for it in cuting these people he could see, we have nearly left the re­ an incredible strength that terms of people coming to­ make them the official religion ligious order but we would comes from doing something gether, quite apart from the re­ of the empire and use that to have carried on as before, just together.” ligious role, which I’m also unify is empire. That was in the as a group of women. It would A quote from the book: committed to, I don’t want to 4th century and that is what not have made any difference “Those with power hate pro­ pretend otherwise. But I’m not created the church as we un­ to our practical lives. Where test and dread any public into evangelising or proselytis­ derstand it, which is so tied up we are specifically different examination of their actions, ing. Our ideal really is the very with status. It’s quite a time to from any other group of nuns but they do not change one early church of the first two or be in, feeling that you can turn is that we are not in any way moment before they have to. three centuries after christ, the centuries back — it’s worth dependent on the church or More than that, when protest where women actually played a try.” the state for funds. The one bit starts to become effective they a very big part and that’s all 1 asked Pauline about the of funding that we have is for a will ruthlessly try to break it. just being discovered now support the women had had co-workers’ scheme. It is our We could easily come to think through fantastic research from the church in what they belief that people doing work that all protest is useless. But that women are doing. The were doing, and whether they in the community should not that is not so. History shows church for me is to provide had practical support in be expected to do it for no­ that where people act together people to give service, that’s money terms. thing, especially women, and it to confront unjust systems, all. My understanding of “No we didn’t get money is mostly women doing it. To they awaken awareness in church is of some people from the church, and we didn’t begin with we paid them our-

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42 Broadsheet, October 1986 selves, it was a small amount, and used mainly their words to but it did make a lot of differ­ tell the stories. Each chapter ence. As the scheme got big­ begins with a photograph and ger we got funding from the an introduction/summary by THE McKenzie Trust and they’re Virginia. She says in her gen­ very ‘no strings’ kind of eral introduction, “I wanted to OLD-TIME MAORI people. They trust you. That’s find out how some of these the only money we’ve got from women had succeeded, what by Makereti (Maggie Papakura) outside ourselves. and how great the obstacles “At the beginning the order were, and how they overcame wanted to support us — they them. What were their mo­ couldn’t conceive of a situa­ tives? How did they resolve tion where you were not de­ being wives and mothers as pendent on the order because well as career women? Above we had always been. They all, how did they feel about were a bit shocked, thinking their lives and the choices they we couldn’t survive. But we made?” knew we would. 1 went and The result is a'very gutsy taught at Aranui High School book, as Virginia Myers got a and I got a salary that three of high level of self-exposure us could live on. It is all getting from all the women. She ad­ tougher, but that’s all part of mits to a “subjective” (what other people’s experience too. other kind is there?) choice of If you always have a backstop women to include as “women that you know you can fall whom I admired and whose This book, the first published work back on then you’re in a diffe­ experience seems a particu­ by a Maori woman, has been out of rent situation. It is a question of larly rich resource.” being secure. We have chosen There weren’t any obvious print for almost fifty years and to be insecure. things in common among There are a lot of references these women, except their de­ offers ‘a woman’s sighting of the to power in A Changing termination to achieve. But Order: Pauline O’Regan is a success does not mean the Maori world’ (Ngahuia Te nun with a strong feminist same thing to them. Awekotuku, in her introduction). analysis, a statement I would For Merata Mita, Maori, have thought of as contradic­ woman, film-maker (Bastion Now published $19.95. tory before I read her book and Point, Patu), success is “that talked with her. Her ideals my children still love me in NEW WOMEN’S PRESS about the church have no­ spite of what I’ve done and be­ thing to do with heirarchies, come publicly, and all the wealth, or the passive accep­ hardship they’ve had to en­ Affairs, strong proponent of male goals of high income/ tance that I associate with dure with me.” She is working education for Maori women, long hours at the expense of Christian religions. on a feature film about an old “There were many heartaches, everything else. “My dream is It is worth reading A Chang­ Maori woman bringing up her but they weren’t as significant to have an excellent women’s ing order for the analyses of granddaughter. “I’ll do any­ as having achieved in human law firm staffed by women change, and the processes of thing for the survival of the terms. As a Maori — woman or who are acknowledged to be change, that it offers. There is Maori people. They had so man — service to your people top in their field and would at­ plenty of food for thought for much to offer Hew Zealand in is the number one qualifica­ tract clients, even if they were feminists concerned with pro­ terms of nationhood and were tion... If I’d followed another available only part-time. I’d cess here. □ totally ignored. I’m making career I wouldn’t have had the want to work on women’s this feature film because the same sense of fulfilment.” terms. More co-operative de­ revolution isn’t just running Fiona Kidman spoke of a cision-making with a lot of out with a gun and shooting HEAD AND SHOULDERS double-edged sword of public give and take, and also mate­ somebody, it's the arts as well. success. “I was not prepared rial support systems like hav­ Interviews by Virginia And if a film I make causes for celebrity status!... sought ing someone to do our bank­ Myers Maori people to feel stronger out by people who wanted me ing and take our cars for a war­ about themselves and lose Penguin $19.99 (add GST) to party along with them or get rant of fitness. Something like some of their inferiority, then on your coat-tails a bit... I a wife’s role, but properly BEYOND EXPECTATIONS I’m achieving something started to have hangovers paid...” Helen discusses the Edited by Margaret Clark worthwhile for the revolution." when I should have been sexism in the legal profession Mertata had earlier rejected a Allen & Unwin 1986 doing other work... there was a and the gatekeeping that “success” path that she saw as double cost... to my family... to meant it took her 12 years to $19.95 (add GST) ~ possible for her in teaching, the important things in my achieve a partnership, when working with Maori and own work." She says later, some of the men she went I read Head and Shouders Polynesian students for whom “Success to me now would be through law school with did it twice, the first time compul­ the education system had to be recognised as a good in four or five. And getting to sively. Here were the stories of failed. She said, “what looks craftswoman and somebody be a partner did not bring any nine Hew Zealand women, like success is very hollow. I who remains true to herself.” of this to an end. who are described on the had the same origins as them, Helen Melrose, lawyer, sole Wendy Pye sees success as cover as “outstanding” and yet by some quirk of fate I’d woman partner with 35 men in being “best” and making a lot having “blazed a trail to public ended up somewhere they a commercial law firm, has of money. She offers some success”. Virginia Myers inter­ weren’t going to get to.” achieved success in the terms quite specific advice about viewed Fiona Kidman, Merata For Mira Szasy, leader in the defined by her profession, at how to get on in a corporation, Mita, Helen Melrose, Wendy Maori Women's Welfare considerable personal cost including lobbying (“all the Pye, Helen Clark, Elspeth Ken­ League, advisor in the setting (and a similar cost has been real work has to be done be­ nedy, Anne Audain, Mira up of Te Ohu Whakatupu paid by all the women in this fore the meeting”). Some of Szaszy and Miriam Saphira within the Ministry of Women's book) and now questions the her statements seemed con-

Bfoadsheet, October 1986 43 tradictory to me, like “I’m really corporate world isn’t what life very romantic” and some of is all about. Life is at the grass the things she said about roots, how you pay your bills, strategies. And I found this how you are looked after in statement a little strange: hospital, whether or not you “Many women are their own have running water.” worst enemies. I find they Anne Audain, athlete, sees aren’t prepared to sacrifice success in terms of winning very much.” Or maybe it’s me races, which has led on to that’s strange because I don’t some financial success see why success shouldn't be through sponsorship and ad­ possible without sacrifice. Of vertising. Her hurdles have course, it is going to depend certainly not all been on the on how we define success. track — sexual harrassment, Politician Helen Clark does for instance seems to have not see being a member of been a fairly constant factor parliament as any ultimate but it’s not one she makes a lot success — although she does of. She sees herself as see herself as having had suc­ feminine — “my makeup gets cesses, (for her they seem to in a terrible mess when I race” be in terms of having an influ­ — but very determined. ence on the Labour Party). The only “out” lesbian in the This is in spite of an inherent book, Miriam Saphira, is also shyness: “I don’t think you the only woman represented STERLING SILVER AXE come out of the New Zealand who actually works on feminist in suede presentation pouch growing up process with the issues — sexual abuse, incest, feeling that you are an indi­ lesbianism, lesbian mothers. $38 - PENDANT ONLY vidual of worth that others will Which is not to deny some of want to meet.” She describes the other women a feminist $45 - COMPLETE WITH CHAIN parliament as “an extraordi­ perspective. For Miriam suc­ narily unhelpful atmosphere”, cess has been getting an edu­ Plus $3.50 packing and postage but still manages to say, “Pro­ cation and educating others vided I’m happy with what I’m through writing and talking N.B. Package will be sent by registered mail — doing I’ll stay in this job,” I was about the issues she sees as allow 3 weeks for delivery left with a strong feeling of re­ important. “I saw education as spect for her integrity. the key to a new world. It WRITE TO seemed to be the only way to get enough information to WOMANCRAFT-BOX 367-AUCKLAND make sense of the world and Successful New Zealand women my part in it." A high commit­ operating from; some chapter “Born Into Conflict”! > J u o Virginia M ytB ment to women and children economic analysis — who Lesbianism is invisible, and and high energy have created earns the big salaries, and although there are some class a success that’s got nothing to why. Another chapter contain­ differences in the families of do with material rewards. “I ing some feminist (and there­ origin, it reflects the variety think turning my anger round fore, economic!) analysis of that is New Zealand women into high achievement has these things is what I wanted. even less than Head and been one of the most re­ But that lack does not stop Shoulders. But then for some sourceful things I’ve ever Head and Shoulders from women to be “successful” a lot done. I’ve seen other people being a really valuable book have to be “unsuccessful”. Or get depressed by their anger, for New Zealand feminists, as do they? I more and more and I also have bouts of depre­ well as a bloody good read. want some analysis of suc­ ssion. But if I can twist that Beyond Expectations is cess. rage into something produc­ also a book about New Zea­ I got a little irritated, particu­ tive I can overcome the depre­ land women that in some larly in the first half of Beyond ssion.” sense have "made it”. It’s Expectations, with the recur­ There is so much in this about 14 mainly professional ring tributes to significant men book that I would like to have women and is fascinating — but maybe that’s just my I developed the same feel­ written about — the obstacles rather than compelling. It’s prejudice showing. And I was ing for Elspeth Kennedy, local the women faced, and their fascinating for its glimpses appalled by Diana Mason’s body financier, first woman strategies for dealing with into New Zealand's Pakeha concluding paragraph, both metropolitan member of the them; being “emotional”; their past (only one woman is Maori for her assumption that her New Zealand stock exchange. relationships to partners; chil­ and she is the youngest in the anti-abortion stance “saved” She chose a career in busi­ dren; the ways in which they book) but lacks the punch of those particular children ness over one in singing and have been hurt; their own Head and Shoulders. Each (whose mothers most likely for her success has meant ar­ childhoods and how they see woman wrote her own chap­ never sought an abortion) and ranging finance for, among that as influencing them; how ter, which gives a lively varia­ for her apparent belief that other things, sewerage they perceive power, and who tion in styles, but the lack of an mothers exist through their schemes all over New Zea­ they see as having it; and the interviewer probing a little children. I found Cath Tizard’s land. She perceived it as a very strong “buzz” that they all deeper makes for a less excit­ chapter enthralling and Mary crisis when she realised she get out of the actual work that ing collection. And the sub­ Ronnie’s evoked my respect. was thinking about her work in they do and out of being really jects are more homogenous, Jaqueline Fahey is a great terms of the fees it earned good at it. And there are things even though both Margaret raconteur and always a delight rather than whether she was that I wanted that are missing: Wilson and Sue Wood are in­ to read (and I loved what she doing the best for her clients an analysis of success and cluded; all except one are said about Broadsheet). But (mostly local bodies). She power; an exploration of the Pakeha. Kathie Cameron, the she and Raewyn Dalzell ended says, "The facade I live in the values the women were one Maori women calls her very abruptly, just when I

44 Broadsheet, October 1986 thought we were getting to gathered data) could not be of anxiety. They remind me of tions not allowed for). something really meaty. In fact carried out. I found the report’s the way prisoners adapt to When I started writing this most of the chapters were description of the project’s prison. After a while most of review I wondered whether my about early life, rather than the process and hassles inspiring, them “settle” are “happy”, al­ criticisms should be last or present. I always liked to read as you gain a sense of the de­ most “content”. Most women first but because there are stories from women’s history termination and commitment in the study regard the family some issues I feel strongly in New Zealand, but I wanted of a group of women to win as very important; they also re­ about I left the criticism to last. more “now” as well. through (against major odds), garded companionship, In a project where women I hope that neither of these achieve a goal and not com­ friendship and security as im­ have been really careful to de­ books is used to “prove” that promise their ideology. The portant. The latter are things tail process and where women can “succeed” if they project women say (p 7) that families (on the whole) academic flak can be ex­ really want to”. It would be har­ “Doing social research has not provide. What 1 don’t know pected I found it extremely ir­ der to do it with Head and become easier and more from the project report is what ritating to find major fact er­ Shoulders because the readily accepted over the 14 “family” in the respondents’ rors as well as presentation women talk so specifically years which separates SROW context means. Does it mean confusion. An example of the about the awful things they (Society for Research on nuclear family? If it does it former is the reference to the have to put up with. And would Women) from WMHP makes me wonder if women neighbourhood watch anyone out there like to write (Women's Mental Health Pro­ will ever seek other options in scheme, when in fact the an article for Broadsheet that ject),” A sobering comment. great numbers because the scheme the researchers are examines the idea of success Many women’s projects stum­ majority see their lot as “not referring to is the neighbour­ and what it means for ble and fail in their attempts to too bad”. This conclusion hood support scheme. Dis­ feminism? try to achieve things differently would be a real asset for the crimination between the two Pat Rosier from existing models because platform of the new conserva­ schemes is very important as the strain is too much or there tive right. proponents of the “watch” REPORT OF WOMEN’S is no herstory to learn from. I The frequency of social scheme are presently highly liked the fact the project critical of the pro-women con­ HEALTH PROJECT (INC) crises and life crises are the women reported in detail the main factors (from the pro­ tent of the “support” package. 1985 P.O. Box 2315 hidden costs of funding and ject’s data) forcing women An example of the presenta­ Tauranga______other problems. into major dissatisfaction with tion errors is in the review of The project attempted re­ their lot and also into depres­ research section where num­ This community project was search similar in design re­ sion. I ponder on whether it is bers and sub-headings appear carried out in the Tauranga porting to such innovative women whose sense of self­ to be erroneous or unclear. By and Matamata area between feminist research as Shere esteem and well-being are the way where is the appendix 1981-1985. It was made pos­ Hite’s The Hite Report, in the high or those who are totally with the maps used for the grid sible by a grant from the Men­ sense of being determined to dissatisfied who finally make system referred to on page tal Health Foundation in 1981. allow women to say how they major changes in their lives? 54? Originally a slightly smaller saw themselves, to speak for Are we providing self-esteem The researchers admit to grant, for the same project, themselves. classes for happy prisoners? some omissions in the prob- had been awarded to one of In their report the resear­ We also have to ask the ques­ lems/issues covered in their the project’s core members chers make good use of indi­ tion (as the researchers do) questionnaire. I feel they have Sarah Calvert but the uplifting vidual respondents com­ does this research project rep­ also neglected important of the grant was paralysed by ments, giving the report feel­ resent Aotearoean women in areas of women’s present and controversy and conflict bet­ ing, a subjective viewpoint of general. I say NO. Minority future mental health by omit­ ween Tauranga hospital the respondents’ lives rather group women (Maori, dis­ ting questions to do with age­ senior medical staff and other than just academic figures abled, lesbian) and working ing and smoking in particular members of the hospital and discussion. The design class women are either under­ (admittedly the 70+ age board. One of the conceivers and method of the research represented or not rep­ group was only 1 % of sample) of the project Dr John has and is likely to get more resented at all. (p. 93) “Few I consider the worst omissions Radcliffe (Director of Com­ flak from academic resear­ women in the survey had ex­ are in the area of discrimina­ munity Services) finally with­ chers. By allowing women the perienced problems meeting tion (racism, ableism and drew his support. He is now option of unquestioned re­ rental/mortgage payments.” 1 homophobia) and something serving as the new conserva­ fusal to respond the sample of do not believe this is represen­ that makes me very angry as a tive superintendent at Car­ data was reduced and I do feel tative of other urban/rural lesbian is — nowhere in the rington hospital in Auckland. the final in-depth study of 75 areas in Aotearoa. I realise the whole report is there any re­ The failure of the board to up­ respondents is too small a data came from a restricted ference to lesbian women. In lift the grant united the sample upon which to make Tauranga/Matamata area and regard to the low number of Tauranga community and led any wide-ranging concusions. ths must be remembered in responses from Maori women to a community group be­ I do not want to comment on drawing conclusions. the researchers say only “We coming an Incorporated Soci­ method and design as I under­ One major significant find­ had no Maori interviewers”. ety to re-apply and regain the stand and agree with the ideol­ ing that 1 could hypothesise There is no analysis of the pos­ research grant. ogy underpinning the project. would be found nation-wide sibility Maori women found the A community and woman- The project’s conclusions are was women’s dissatisfaction questionnaire very white and oriented viewpoint quite interesting but must be treated with contraception. I also culturally unacceptable. I ap­ clearly underlies the design with some caution. found interesting the finding preciate Maori women were and philosophy behind the re­ The overall conclusions that rural women experience members of the core group of search. The report goes to from the main study are that greater stress, particularly with researchers but I find the lack some pains to describe the women cope with their lives pregnancy, and transport is of analysis on this issue appal­ process involved in the re­ remarkably well (and healthily) seen by so many as a problem ling. search and give credit to all but they lack control and (Town planners mostly men?). When I first saw that the project workers. Despite the power to change their lives, The researchers found the questionnaire referred to grant(dished out in bits over a especially stress sources. only social-economic scale “marriage or partnership” 1 3 year period) the project had Women seem to adapt to their developed in this country was pleased, believing that re­ constant financial problems situation with optimism de­ (Elley and Irving) unsatisfac­ lationships such as lesbian which meant finally that Stage spite 33% admitting strain, tory when applied to women were included. Then I found II of the project (community 29% admitting unhappiness (housewives not rated) or rural question 79... “Is he away for intervention based on and 47% admitting some form people (a variety of occupa­ the time being or have you

Broadsheet, October 1986 45 stopped living together for WELLINGTON LESBIAN quite funny: “Love? Love? good?”, and when 1 looked Who's got time for love? I’ve back at preceding questions I CLUB FINALE got a meeting to go to.” realised they were all worded The Wellington lesbian “Does your husband or part­ Friday 22 August was the final club committee can be con­ ner”... and in “employment of night at the Wellington Les­ gratulated for presenting a partners” there were only re­ bian Club in Wiggan St. Wel­ very entertaining evening en­ ferences to “tradesmen” etc. lington. Dykes celebrated with joyed by lesbians from Once again lesbians are invisi­ a wind-down gala evening of throughout Aotearoa (there ble, don’t exist as part of the poems, plays and lip-synch­ were quite a few from Auck­ population of women. I won­ ing, all presented by “Witch­ land) and other ethnic origins. der how many of the non-re­ craft”. The dancing that followed spondents were lesbian? I The programme began with went into the wee smalls, but would not have answered the the video What Lesbians Do we left at about 1.30am. questionnaire. In Bed?, which was followed Thanks for a wonderful night’s 1 congratulate women from by two lip-synching numbers entertainment; I’ve always en­ the women’s mental health by Glenda of Gene Pitney’s joyed myself when I’ve come project for your commitment, “24 HoursFrom Tulsa” and “It down to Wellington and wish tenacity and energy. You have hurts to be in love”. She you all the best of luck on your gathered some valuable data closed the evening later with new premises. in a non-traditional women- another number “I am what I The new Wellington lesbian oriented way but I also want am”. There followed a series of club opened on Saturday 20 you to know my anger at the poesm for lesbians only — September. It will be operating negation of my lesbian sisters. sensual stuff — and plays. on Saturday for a while instead Sue Fitchett The first play had a little of of Friday, and as usual will everything including a Tux- have one non-alcohol night on clad dance routine by the the first Saturday every month. THE PIRATE MOON______“Good-Lookers Dyke Detec­ The club is run by an open col­ Composed by Gillian tive Agency”. It also gave lective which meets every Whitehead Libretto by whole new meaning to the Monday fortnight on the pre­ phrase “Shall we have a rest?” mises. Entry is >2 for unwaged Anna Maria Dell’oso and was about the many kinds and $4 for waged lesbians. For Directed by Paul Sonne of lesbian relationships. Very more information, contact appropriate I thought, in view The Women’s Place Book­ This opera was written for the of the recently published shop, 58 Courtenay Place, students of the school of Broadsheet article. A short skit phone 851-802. □ music as part of their festival to Photo: Hiro Kamimura about political lesbians was Shirley Tamihana. mark the opening of the new music building at Auckland University. modulated singing and musi­ been a tricky score, and some General release The story concerns two lov­ cal integrity centred the opera exciting sounds emanated planned ers — the man. Miron, is un and the stamp of her teaching from the percussion and certain of his loyalties, while technique lent it wonderful woodwind sections. pregnant Willa wants his com­ vocai unity. The ensemble And finally we come to the Marleen Gorris’ Broken Mir­ mitment and support. Via the singing could not be faulted visual feast provided for us by rors is a film I went to see be­ apparition of the “time ship” especially considering the designer Tracy Collins’ set, cause I felt I should rather than they are transported to a sci-fi technical demands of the props and costumes. A com­ because I wanted to. Whilst it future (or could it be their own score. The opening of act one plete story was evident in each proved a harrowing experi­ dream world?) where they by the Futuries was magical. characters’ get-up as colour, ence, this film turned out to be gain insight into the seeds of There was some lovely solo attention to detail and futuris­ the highlight of my film festival the tragedy that lies in their fu­ work from the students — tic fantasy combined. A won­ viewing. Broken Mirrors, a ture. Carmel Carol’s assured sing­ derful imagination that knows powerful feminist film, deals The music of the opera is ing of the imposing priestess no bounds was obviously at with a difficult subject, pros­ difficult to approach for those combined with her physical work here. One tiny quibble — titution. The film had to tread a unfamiliar with contemporary commitment to the role pro­ the “crackling” of the plastic fine line between clearly illus­ classical idiom (no tunes, vided a lovely cameo, as did garments sometimes pulled a trating the position of women love) and one of the com­ Susan Boland’s delightfully bit too much focus! in western society and avoid­ plaints I had, as did many vulnerable Willamore. 1 heard Well done, music women ing the danger of titillating others, was that inaudibility of some lovely sounds from Jen­ and Tracy and Paul. The Pirate males in the audience with the words precluded full under­ nifer Barrat’s Miramore, and Moon was a stimulating night sex/violence of the images standing of the plot and mean­ enjoyed Kathy McGredy’s out. Great to see a work by a presented. ing of the piece. Dare I say it, I singing of the Sphinx. New Zealand woman com­ The film is set mainly in a did find the music a little The lack of intensity and ini­ poser, with such scope for brothel — a clean (if some­ monotonous stylistically, but tial tendency towards petu- women performers, and to what tacky) orderly place of there were times when the lence by the two leads later hear young singers get to the type found in countries combination of high voices gave way to more creative per­ grips with such a challenging where prostitution is state chanting or singing with an ac­ formances, more so from Jen­ task. sanctioned — and follows the companiment that frequently nifer Maybee. The initial Stephanie Arlidge ritualized servicing of males (a had no fixed pitch achieved an woodenness from all the cast common theme in most cul­ almost “electronic” effect settled down, and by the tures), and how the women which was very exciting. climax of Act 2 some highly cope with their incessant daily There were some marvell­ committed performances BROKEN MIRRORS tasks. Parallel to this we follow ous performances from this were in evidence. Directed by Marlen the movements of an abduc­ group of mainly women stu­ The orchestra was superbly Gorris. Screened at tor who captures a woman, dents and their tutor Anthea disciplined by John Elmsley in chains her to a bed in a cold Moller. Anthea’s beautifully its playing of what must have recent film festivals. barren cellar, slowly starving

46 Broadsheet, October 1986 ier to death. He gets his kicks Gorris does not portray the three course dinner for her Gorris allows little room for rom having total control over prostitutes as being crippled husband. It is no accident that ambiguity in Broken Mirrors. nis victim who is forced to lie in by their victim status — a Gorris has the abductor one yet her film is powerful, clev­ excrement, pleading for food, popular image which also minute torturing his captive erly avoiding the preaching water and mercy. He observes abounds in feminist circles. All and the next, walking into a tendencies of some feminist in silence, periodically photo­ women, whether prostitute or comfortable homely atmos­ films. Her images are real and graphing her agony for his no, cater to male needs. It is phere with a loving wife to highly effective. The hoard of large wall collection — a sinis­ pertinent to pose the question greet him. The impact of this university students who de­ ter array of past victims. The “how many women actually sequence is chilling! scend upon the brothel franti­ two stories, seemingly uncon­ freely choose, as opposed to cally queuing for their turn, an­ nected, fuse into an uncom­ being ‘freely compelled' to un­ The only male in the whole xious to get their “end” in (one promising exposition of the dertake a particular form of film who does not threaten wonders why they didn’t just misogyny necessary to sustain labour”? (Broadside, v 7, no 6, women is Andre, an old dere­ fuck each other and be done patriarchal societies, and how pg 9). The prostitutes have lict living in a disused shed with it), repel us. Or there is the this is expressed in male sexu­ been “freely compelled” to near Doris’ boathouse, babbl­ scene set in the restaurant ality. choose this type of work and ing away about the pure and where the prostitutes are The tone is established Gorris presents them as good virgin Mary. (A subtle re­ farewelling one of their work­ from the first image — bleak, strong and supportive women, minder of the two roles mates who coped by suicid­ unremitting realism. In the dis­ enduring in order to survive. women have been traditionally ing; they sit around a large tance a car emerges amidst a They are doing a job so that forced into — madonna or table singing "I kissed a frog stark, snow-laden landscape. they can feed their children, whore.) Andre does not but instead of turning into a pr­ A man (we never see his face) and exist in a society which is threaten because he has no ince, he stayed a fat, green, dressed in a long grey coat based on a model of exploita­ power. He is old, “crazy” and slimy frog". and gloves, drags a tarpaulin tion. It is good to get away has no economic status. His Obviously this film could bundle from his car boot. He from the heroin-addict treatment illustrates the not have a happy ending. But it unwraps the contents on the stereotype of prostitutes — hypocrisy and seeming irra­ did end on a slightly positive bank of a canal to reveal the though they do exist. tionality of society in its defini­ note where women were dead body of a woman, calmly shown to seize the little power photographs her, and then they could. The chained drives off. woman comes to the realiza­ His long coat and gloves haunt tion that her captor enjoys her us throughout the film. Every pleading and has no intention time a customer rings the of releasing her from his brothel bell we see the vague power. She makes a con­ outlines of a coat through the scious decision to stop indulg­ tinted glasss. Is it him? The ing his perversion and to die point, perhaps, that Gorris is with dignity. She decides not making is that the murderer to speak another word to him, could be any one of them. Our thus empowering herself. The abductor merely displays in abductor is besides himself extreme form tendencies and breaks his silence. It is his which early become part of the turn to beg Tier to speak. In dis­ male psyche. gust she spits into his face. An Marleen Gorris has not al­ important statement is being lowed any of the myths about made here. Even in the worst prostitution to pervade her situation women can wrest film. These women are not sex some measure of control therapists performing an im­ once they realize that males portant job in relieving male get off on power, and if they hang-ups. The prostitutes de­ stop giving men what they want. Diane and Doris also spise their customers and This film can be read as ex­ tion of what is dangerous. Be­ have learnt techniques to dis­ posing the economic exploita­ cause Andre is old, poor, dirty take positive action. To reveal how would be to detract from tance themselves from their tion of women which is inbuilt and nonconforming he is seen the film's power for those yet demands, as Doris vividly in­ into the power structures of as a threat and subsequently forms the newly arrived Diane. western societies. The removed by the authorities to to see Broken Mirrors — and see it you must! With great Their aim is to get the men in, chained woman in the cellar is an institution. Yet the really adeptness and superb timing make them come as quickly a symbol of the wholescale dangerous men, represented Gorris ties the two stories to­ as possible, and get them out economic dependence (and by the abductor, are able to as­ gether and reveals the abduc­ again — not an unfamiliar enslavement) of women. We sume invisibility behind the practice for women in general. see this in the prostitutes who guise of respectability and tor’s identity. The faces of the women as are paid by men. Gorris makes status attained through This is a brilliant film; more they service the males is one a point of showing repeated wealth. The more economic important, it is a brilliant of resigned boredom, cer­ images where money is power men have the more feminist film. The faces of the tainly not of enjoyment. handed from male to female, dangerous they become as it audience after the Auckland The sex sequences are sen­ as in the handing of money gives greater access to avoid­ film festival screening was tes­ sitively shot so that the camera from the male clients to Ellen, ing the shallow sanctions of timony to the brutal reality avoids the voyeuristic display the brothel manager, and of society. Andre also serves to contained within Broken Mir­ of women's bodies so com­ the male brothel owner who expose the other hypocrisy of rors. Our society is structured mon in “male gaze” films (i.e. keeps the prostitutes waiting so-called Christian societies. on economic exploitation; Hail Mary). The cold realism whilst he counts their earn­ Doris, condemned as a whore, women are used to service and matter of factness of Gor­ ings, handing them out per­ showed more compassion male needs. Propped up by ris' images also negate any sonally with a magnanimous and embodied more Christian misogyny, it is these exploita­ titillation value. There is no­ gesture. We see it in the de­ charity in caring for Andre tive structures that chain us thing erotic about rubbish bins voted wife of our abductor than her respectable just as firmly as the woman full of used condoms, or who has been busying herself neighbour who reported the chained to the bed. □ vomit-filled hand basins. at home preparing a gourmet old man to the police. Athina Tsoulis.

Broadsheet, October 1986 47 FEMINIST BOOKSHOP WORKER WANTED MINDELTA iw sm iCtzm ffzm cr Broadsheet bookshop needs FRIENDSHIP CLUB a feminist to work four (paid) CONFIDENTIAL, N.Z. WIDE, days a week. The job entails INTRODUCTION SERVICE FOR spending four days a week in LESBIANS AND GAY MEN. IF the bookshop, ordering, sel­ YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE ling, window displays plus FRIENDSHIP OF THAT SPECIAL some work for the magazine PERSON PLEASE WRITE FOR Christchurch some advertising and joining DETAILS TO: P.O. BOX 21-182 the Broadsheet collective. If CHRISTCHURCH W eekdays $ am - 5.30 pm you have experience in the Friday 9 pm Ph 790-784 book trade and this job ap­ peals to you ring Jesvier on 398-395 to arrange an inter­ view. SONGS FOR WOMYN OF THE HEART By Joshna * Alaka * Moonlight or Darkness * Ocean ASTROLOGICAL ADVISER womanline * Collage or Love Cassettes $13 (incl. postage) Naturopathic Healing; Life a wom en’s Send order to issues; Karma. 49 Avondale Rd, Maureen Thompson telephone service Phone 760-351 fo r — listening Avondale Auckland — information Phone 882-481 — referral

FEMALE FLATMATE WANTED 7WHE 765-173 Glendowie. Share with one other. TWO LESBIAN FLATMATES Non-smoker. Earth signs we offer a confidential service for WANTED preferred $50 perweek plus anything you want to talk about: e.g. SEMI-VEGETR1AN, NON­ expenses relationships... alcohol. ..unemployment. SMOKING MODERN FULLY Phone 557-735 loneliness..... or just to find out APPOINTED WESTMERE HOME what’s available for women. WITH DACHSHUND AND Monday — Friday PRIVATE GARDEN $70 per week ______9am — 9pm ______RING GLENIS evening or early Therapeutic Massage mornings for women only Phone 766-394 Ph.Jeannette DRUGS/ALCOHOL Phone 412-9261 SELF HELP GROUP Auckland Lesbians trying to abstain from alcohol or drugs Wednesday 6pm at Women's Centre, 63 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland. All dykes welcome. • WOMEN AND CULTURE EXHIBITION • Contact Maggie Ph 764-590 This exhibition, curated by Priscilla Pitts for the Association of Women Artists, opens at Outreach, 1 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland at 5.30 on 13 October. At the opening Juliet Batten will begin a performance piece, “Un-earthing”. The performance will continue daily LESBIAN SOCIAL GROUP throughout the two weeks of the exhibition, probably between Coffee evenings and outings. 12.30 and 2.00. Juliet is inviting women to collaborate in Write to LSG, Box 46141, this piece by sending bits of information about women’s Herne Bay, Auckland. culture in Aotearoa to her at 98 Marsden Ave, Mt Eden, Auckland. Please include the source and your name and address. Any small “artefacts" that symbolise women’s contribution to culture would also be welcomed. Using archeology as a metaphor Juliet will “unearth" the LESBIAN COUNSELLING SERVICE information. Women will be invited to take part in this Alcohol and drug abuse process. All contributors will be acknowledged. counselling Another aspect of the exhibition will be the presentation Couples and relationship of two videos (Outreach, 20 October 7.45), one by Wallis counselling Barnicoat on women and work, the other Juliet’s piece, Phone Ingrid or Cathie 686-1 1 1 “Knitting the Tide".

48 Broadsheet, October 1986 KATHERINE MANSFIELD POSTER

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