CRADLE-ROCKERS FACE THE POOLS

NZ Truth, Issue 1196, 1 November 1928, Page 21

CRADLE-ROCKERS FACE THE POOLS

We can't call them, just yet, women who do— for no woman of New Zealand has yet entered the sacred doors of the House of Representatives. But there are women who will— if willing can do the trick-pass the barrier. Perhaps after the^ coming election members may find an occasional hairpin and a whiff of eau-de-cologne m the princely baths wherein they refresh themselves during long and dry debates. At all events — here's luck to the ladies ! .■■■■'.■<■.

"ELIZABETH McCOMBS isn't going to Lj give much trouble on the question:

"Will lady Ms.P. want to enter Bellamy's?" The ciip, that cheers and also inebriates- has no appeal to the 'wife -of one' of- our most prohibitive, so to speak, members — Jimmy McCombs, of Lyttelton. . The two have worked m harness and Elizabeth I—tall,1 — tall, stately, 'gracious and attractive — has had her full share pi the family laurels. She was born at j' --•--"-' ; --*" — +~-i ■« + the West Christchurch Gir Is' High /School and at nineteen took her first plunge into the 'sometimes chilly waters of welfare work by -becoming secretary to the Children's A i.d Society. This position she held for over seven years. • In 1923 she was first elected to the City Council and since then has been twice re-elected with fat majorities m tow. She is also, a member of the Canterbury Hospital Board and m 1927 defeated that canny. Scot, the Hon. J.- A. Bariy for a seat on the Christchurch Tramways Board- — where, however, she has not yet caused the few. remaining hairs of city fathers, to stand on end by introducing the lady tram or bus conductor. :

Reform, not to be outdone, submits two women candidates-T-bne m the energetic person of Mrs. Annie Maguire

and the other m that of Miss Melville, also a seasoned campaigner. Mrs. Maguire is good lady to the medical superintendent 'of the Auckland Hospital and. has done large slices of public work from one time to. another.

During the war she' was awarded the M.B.E. and a special decoration from the Navy Leagued Like Mrs. Mc-'

Combs, she is an active city councillor. She is also president of the Myers Freo Kindergarten ' and a trier after various strange and excellent things sought for by women's movements m sundry parts of the globe. ' Annie is a travel -lover and has made extensive trips into foreign lands, always with the, prevailing idea of collecting knowledge which- might prove

useful to the women . and children of her homeland.

She is up against someone stiff — as an opponent, though by no means as a personality — -m. the shape of the Labor member for Auckland East, J. A. Lee.

But this gentleman, despite his keen tongue, is a chivalrous fighter and One may expect a very interesting contest, unspoiled by "wolf- pack" tactics, m whkt Mrs. Maguire earnestly hopes will one day be her electorate. Remains Miss Ellen ; Melville, whose life and works are almost too well known to need a resume. ..It may be said that she is an older hand 'at the political game tli an most of her sis-ters-in-arms, and that, if her backers are to be believed, she has a

*■* ' ■■ " ' very fair hope of Mrs. McCombs v br<>n.kinsr through the barriers; this election.' In spite of the fact that she was the banana-skin, so to speak, on which Jimmy Parr's natural successor came to a grievous end, Reform has taken her back to its bosom. . ' She cannot complain that she has not been- given every chance to make the rafters of the House of Representatives tingle. ..-.•.. ', ' : ; , ••- The Uniteds haven't so far l'isked a woman candidate — for petticoated candidates are still regarded by party secretaries as sheer luxuries— but Sir Joseph, once' he, gets gping, will, probably produce a Buttercup from somewhere. . We live m hopes. * ''■'.'''