FIRST WOMAN M.P.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 643, 22 September 1933, Page 5

FIRST WOMAN M.P.

(Press Assn.-

MRS. E. R. McCOMBS TAKES HER SEAT IN THE HOUSE SAYING IT WITH FLOWERS

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Wellington, Thursday. Mrs. E. R. McCombs, the newlyelected Labour member for Lyttelton, was the central figure in a unique scene in the House of Representatives this afterxioon when, as the fii'st woman member of the New Zealand Parliament, she was formerly sworn in by Mister Speaker. She was spohsored by the Labour Party whips, Messrs. Sulliven and E. J. Howard and as she approached the Speaker's chair, she was warmly applauded by her fellow memhers. The applause, in which the members' ladies, and public galleries partieipated, was renewed when she returned to her seatj that in the front row of the Opposition benehes formerly occupied by her late husband. When Mrs. McCombs took her seat prior to the entry of Mr. Speaker into the Chamber, the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet crossed the floor and extended congratul ations in which other members of Parliament joined. Mrs. McCombs' desk was decorated with bouquets of flowers and a basket of tulips. The new member had many callers this morning and was the recipient of numerous vei-bal and written congratulatory messages.