a matter of appearance

[happycat]

Hi friends,

In the movie "Made in Dagenham", The minister was about to react badly to what the sub-secretaries had just said. So she said: "Now, I hate to make this a matter of appearance and go all womanly on you"

What does she mean by "to make this a matter of appearance"? Is it an idiom?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Copyright]

It sounds literal, but could you tell us what the secretaries said and give us some context? Thank you.

 

[happycat]

It sounds literal, but could you tell us what the secretaries said and give us some contact? Thank you.

Thanks. They said:
"As a minster you should not meet with the plant machinists because that will encourage them and give credence to their cause"

She said later that their cause has already credence and got angry.

Thanks.