FIRST LADY M.P.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1933, Page 5

FIRST LADY M.P.

SERVICE RECORD MRS M’COMBS’S SOCIAL WORK. 1 (Per Press Association—Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, Sepember 14. Mis Elizabeth Read McCombs, the new member for Lyttelton, was bom at Kaiapoi, and was tbe youngest daughter of Mr Daniel Henderson. She wa« educated afc the West Christchurch school and the Christchurch Gill’s High School. Taking up Social work at an early ,age, she was secretary lor some years of the Children’s Aid Society and president (later Dominion treasurer) of the Woment’s Christian Temperance Union. She was also a member of the executive of the old Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association. Mrs McCombs has been a member of the Christchurch City Council since 1921, and she has been chairwoman of . the council’s electricity committee continuously since 1927. In 1921 she was elected as one of the city’s representatives on the North Canterbury Hospital Board, and she has held her seat there ever since. 'She is the first and only woman to have been elected to the Christchurch Tramway Board. She was elected to the board in 1927 and was re-elected in 1930. Mrs McCombs has also beeii a member of the Christchurch Domains Board. 'She was married .in 1903 to Mr James McCombs, of Christchurch, who held the Lyttelton seat for* 20 years, and whose death it wag that precipitated the present by-election. In 1928 Mrs McCombs contested the Kaiapoi seat and was defeated by Mr R. W'. Hawke after a three-cornered contest; and at the last general election, standing for Christchurch North against Mr L. C. Walker and Air H. Holland. She has two children—Mr T. H. McCombs, M. and Miss Patricia McCombs.

“WILL MAKE AN ABLE MEMBER.”

COMMENT FROM AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, September 14

In the course of an editorial, the “New Zealand Herald" says: “On the personnal side, it can he said without any qualification that the new member is a woman of high capacity who' wiil make a very .able member of Parliament. From the viewpoint of proved ability , and suitability for public life, the first woman to secure election to the New Zealand Parliament, fourteen years .after the passing of legislation giving the sexes equal rights— air respect to candidature, need fear no comparison with the average male member. These facts can be admitted cheerfully by those who do not care for the political company Mrs McCombs keeps.; Turning to the contest itself, the result was entirely as might have been expected. It would, in fact, have been a surprise if the verdict had gone otherwise. There has inevitably been some reaction from the high level of support accorded the Coalition generally at the last election, reflected in the majority with which it was mi vested, and so far as Lyttelton itself is concerned in & very close contest for what had long been a Labour seat. In all the circumstances, Mrs McCombs , was bound to have the best chance of winning the set, and she* has proved herself fully capable of grasping the opportunity. Records show that it is exceptional for the Government of the day to win a seat away from its opponents at a by-election in New Zealand. In fact the chances are often against it holding one previously in its possession. Lyttelton has not proved an exception.”

DUNEDIN PAPEIL’-S COMMENT, DUNEDIN, September 14.

The “Otago Daily Times” says:— “It was a shrewd move on the part of the Socialists to present as their candidate the widow of the late member. The effect was certainly t 0 secure iu their iavour a sympathetic vote of uuttscertainable vet undoubtedly large dimensions. It was actually suggested that opposition to her implied lack of chivalry* The idea that any -principle of family succession , should apply .on the death of a member is so flimsy that it will not bear a moment’s reflection. Mrs McCombs had, however, claims on the consideration of the electors that, constituted her, apart from reliance on any sentimental plea, as formidable as any other candidate whom her party might have selected.

‘•There is no reason for supposing that the failure of women candidates in the past was due merely or principally to their sex- It is probable that if Mrs McCombs lost any votes because she is a woman she- gained just as many for that reason. Besides the special circumstances in which the Lyttelton election was contested gave her a distinct advantage that was not enjoyed by any of the women candidates, including herself, who w.ere defeated at previous elections. Wbethel- her success may or may not encourage the candidature- of women in the future, she is to he congratulated on having gained the distinction of being the first member of her sex to secure a seat, in Parliament by the votes' of the electors.”