MRS MCCOMBS WINS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1933, Page 5

MRS MCCOMBS WINS

LYTTELTON SEAT BY A MAJORITY OF 2602 VOTES. (Per Press Association, Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, September 13. Polling in. the Lyttelton by-election yesterday, Airs E. R. AlcOombs (Labour) secured a majority of 26 J2 over All* A. P. Freeman (Coalition), and thus lias the distinction of being the first woman to gain Parlamentary honours in New Zealand. It was one I of the most strenuously contested elections on record, and Airs AlcCombs’ majority is a. record for the electorate. Hie returns were as follow:

Airs Ethel R. AlcCombs (Labour) ... 6082 Mr F. W. Freeman (Coalition) 3480 Mr E. L. Hills '(lndependent Labour) ... 263

Majority for Airs AlcCombs 2602 The total votes polled was over 10,300, which for a by-election, is a very high total. The roll contained 13,721 names, so that the number not voting was about 3,400, but the roll was 1096 greater than at the 1931 general election, In 1931 there were 12,265 electors on the toll and 10,859 votes were east, represently 86.57 pet* cent of the total, To-day’s total vote was 10,308, or about 500 fewer, Air Hills, who stood ap an Independent Labourite, loses his deposit.

Airs AlcCombs’ majority represents an increase in the Labour majority for Lyttelton of 2,570 votes. While there are this time 217 postal votes, there were 109 in 1931, and this time there are- 45 seamen’s votes as aga,ii)st 29 in 1931, \ There are 221 absent votes, and 217 postal votes, and 45 seamen’s votes to come.

AIR COATES’ CONGRATULATIONS. COMMENT ON THE RESULT. WELLINGTON, September 13. “The contest is over, and the elected candidate, is to be congratulated, both on her handsome win, and in being the first woman to gain Parliamentary honours in New Zealand,” said Mr J. G. Coates, when invited to comment on the result of the Lyttelton by-election. Air Coates said: The electors of Lyttelton would appear to have ‘ .preferred illusionary and airy promises, involving violent inflationary methods, irrespective of consequences, made by the Labour Party, rather than a policy of paying our way, and insisting upon aiming for a budgetary balance in reasonable period.” “I desire to congratulate Mr Freeman up the excellent fight he has put up,” said Mr Coates in conclusion, “He has done all that could be expected of any candidate.”

WOMEN DELIGHTED AT SUCCESS AUCKLAND, September 14. Ali/s Ellen Melville, president of the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women, said that it w.a s fortunate that the first woman to be elected to Parliament should be one of such undoubted capacity and experience lin public work, and one who would be able to convince the public. Women were as well suited a s men for Parlia-

mentaTy work. Mis s B. Carnachan, former Dominion president, expressed delight at Mi's Me* Combs’ election, saying that she wa-" the right kind of woman to be elected. Jt had now been proved that her worth had been recognised, not only by women (who bad long known it), but. by men. Dr Hilda Northcroft said that lit was very appropriate that Canterbury, which was the .pioneer in all women’s movements, should send, the first wo* man to Parliament. •;

PREVIOUS ELECTION RESULTS

The result of the 1931 poll when Mr Freeman stood against the late Mr J. McCombs was as follows L—•T. McCombs ... ......5,404 F. W. Freeman 5,372 W. L. Page 83 Total 10,859 Majority for McCombs ... 83 There was a heavy poll at the 1928 election, the voting being as follows: — J. McCombs (Lab.) ... 5022 J. W. Reanland (R.) ... 3036 W. T. Lester. (U.) ... ... 2734 Majority for McCombs ... 1986 Oil tlfe official count in the 1925 election, Mr McCombs and M.r M. E. Lyons (R.) each had a total of 4902 votes. It was found that eight residents of Wninui had been allowed to vote in Lyttelton,’when actually they were in the Ellesmere electorate. Thus Mr McCombs gained election. 1922—J. McCombs (Labour) 4758, R. Macartney (Reform) 4144. 1919 —J. McCombs (Labour) 2999. R. Macartney (Reform) 2422, W. T. Lester (Liberal) 1277, H. G. EH (Liberal) 585. 1 914 —J. McCombs (Labour) 4276, M. J. Miller (Reform) 2675. 1913 (by-election)—First ballot; J. McCombs (Labour) 2087, ’ M. J. Miller (Reform) 1564, J, P. Lanrenson (Liberal) 922. Br Thacker (Liberal) 264, W. Radcliffe (Liberal' 96. Second ballot: J. McCombs 2629, M. J. Miller 2493.