POLITICAL WIVES.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 311, 17 December 1936, Page 2

POLITICAL WIVES.

THEIR WAYS OF LIFE. An Interesting Study, Says “One of Them.” We hear a great deal about M.P.’s but not, very much about their wives, and yet they are an interesting study, writes “One of Them” in the “Daily Mail.” There is the Young Wife, who behaves as if nobody had ever married an M.P? before. She shows tremendous keenness, haunts the galleries, loves to take her friends and point out to them the Front Bench celebrities.

The policemen and messengers l all have a friendly, word with her; she is so fresh and interested in everything and so obviously enjoying herself. I have a dim recollection of this feeling. It was pleasant while it lasted! Then there is the Capable Wife, who is president of this and chairman of that, who runs the constituency and her husband, too. One sometimes wonders why he is there at all —so, I think, does he. Yet he joins in the general chorus of admiration —“My wife, you know, she runs the 'show.”, And the others italic of her as “Mrs So-and-so, what a wonderful woman!” A hard worker is this woman, who prides herself on never having an idle minute. She is an excellent speaker and thrives on the kudos she receives—and deserves. j 1 The New Member’s Wife is rather proud and thrilled at her position. One meets her at political receptions, complete with husband in smart morning coat and buttonhole. (The Older .Members’ wives have long learnt, that their husbands arc ‘busy at the House” on these occasions). She tries .to look very’ self-assured as she penetrates the crowd round the tea table, talking brightly with her husband, hoping people will think he is a friend she has just met. She is praying for a friendly face. A charming personality- in her own home, she is ,a little out of her clamant here, rather doubtful about her clothes and the dashing newt lipstick she was inveigled into buying.

She has an inferiority complex, but is determined nobody shall guess it. She is not enjoying herself, but, after all. she can always write; home to her - I'riends about the. “delightful reception” and how she met the Prime Minister. The Older Member’s Wife is in quite a different category. She has been opening bazaars and presiding over functions for so long that one feels- she must say, as she shakes your hand, “It is a. great pleasure for me to be here .to-day.” She regards the whole business as somewhat boring, but necessary to her. status, and she makes the best of it. A slight—quite unconscious—glow of superiority surrounds her. One notices this also in Ministers’ wives.

The’ wife who is not politically' minded does not ! like limelight, but works hard behind the scenes. She is helpful in the constituency, often is her husband’s secretary; but she is not very spectacular, and therefore not of much account in the gay world.

Always popular is the wife who makes jests about the constituents, pompous Ministers, her fellow-wives, in fact, about everything. Delightful bo meet, she is considered a little dangerous. ' In contrast, there is the wife who thinks her husband is fulfilling a mission, that to represent so many thousands of people is a high, calling. Doubtless very' commendable sentiments on her part, but apt to become tedious. On. the whole these wives make a brave show. Theirs is not a very

easy life. There are frequent' journeys, late nights, and one is practically husbandless from Monday to Friday. Possibly, like sailors, .that is why’ members and wives always seem to get on so well together.