AFTER THE POLL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 637, 15 September 1933, Page 5

AFTER THE POLL

MRS. McCOMBS' THANKS Christchurch, Thursday. The big crowd assembled gave Mrs. McCombs an ovation when she appeared to return thanks for her election. "This," she said, "is one of the proudest as well as one of the saddest days of my life. I owe- my position to-day first to my sister, who taught me the prineiples of Radical politics, and then to my husband, who encouraged and helped me through the whole of our married life together." The occasion, said Mrs. McCombs, was an historic one; it was a redletter day for the women of New Zealand. "I am glad to think that the first woman to be elected to the Parliament of New Zealand is a member of the Labour party." The election had another, wider significance, she added. The issue.was whether or (not the electors were satisfied with the policy of the Government, and they had shown that very clearly. Later in the course of an interview she said: "I am the proudest woman in New Zealand tonight, but when the exeitement of this wonderful day is over I shall be the humhlest. I do hope that the ! women of New Zealand will realise i that where they are concerned, and j where the welfare of all men, women ?nd children is concerned, I shall be their representative first. I hope that where there are people who suffer, or are in Uouble at any time, they will forget that I am a member of the Labour party, and remember that I am a woman." Congratulations That the great majority accorded Mrs. McCombs constituted a vote of no-confidence in the Government and repudiation of its policy was the claim made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland. Speeches congratulating Mrs. McCombs were also made by other Labour members, Messrs Sullivan, Howard, Armstrong, Langstone, Fraser, and Carr. The Other Candidates There was an uproar when Mr. Fi-eeman appeared, but it was a goodhumoured demonstration, and it died down immediately he began to speak. When the Independent Labour candidate, Mr. Hills stepped forward, he was greeted by a storm of hooting, "counting out," and other noises that continued without intermission throughout his brief address, and it was very doubtful if the crowd Reard anything he said.