A Firm Believer That a Woman's Place Is In The Home

Radio Record, 12 June 1936, Page 62

A Firm Believer That a Woman's Place Is In The Home

Mrs.

BOB

SEMPLE

HEN a man at the wish of the. people finds himself suddenly charged with the onerous duties of a Minister of the Crown, he usually is deprived of many home comforts -if not entirely,at least in part. And if that man. loves his home, so much more will he feel the responsibility of assisting to run a "Ship of State." This. might well refer to Mr. Robert Semple, who as Minister of Transport, Minister of Public Works and Minister in charge of Roads and’ Public Buildings, must find his life pretty full with a minimum of time to. spend with his wife and family. In the days when he was just an M.P, he could doubtless depend on coming home in time for dinner, would use his slippers placed before the fire, would enjoy a fairly regular routine of home life, but.as Minister of the Crown all those things have gone; at least for a while, woe o 7" It must be obvious, though, that this "story is not ° concerned with "Bob". Semple, but rather with his devoted wife. The "Radio Record" called’ on Mrs, Semple the other day to see how she lives, how she helps with all the new activities brought upon her by. the memorable election of. last year. ae Mrs. Semple has four children, two sons and two daughters, all married, and now scattered. .But they all find time to visit their parents at 50 Chilvers Terrace, Kilbirnie, which fact helps to keep Mrs. "Bob" from becoming too lonely. And, speaking of sons and daughters and elections, they all turned up to No. 50 on ‘the historic November 27, seated themselves round the ‘fireside-and the radio and received the ‘glad news ‘as a .family, Mrs. Semple has been associated with her husband’s activities in political circles since he first ‘became a member of Parliament in 1918. In the Wellington Hast district . since 1928 she has become well known for local work of' a social nature. She was the first chairwoman of: the Social Welfare Committee of the Wellington Hospital Board, and is also a member ‘of the. Hospital Board and on the Committee of the Plunket-Society. Born at Mataura, South Island, she went to Australia where she was married. A lot of her entertaining she does at Parliament and a good deal at her home, which was built about six years ago. The house ‘overlooks a surprising panorama of Evans Bay and:a corner of Lyall Bay with a peep of the Rongotaj aérodrome in the distance and the Orongorongo mountains in the background, What about her hobbies? "Well, she is very interested in home training for girls, and believes that every girl should know how. to run a home, and consequently is all in favour of the home science courses taught in schools, Before settling down in her present home, Mrs. Semple lived at Brooklyn, where a rather large piece of ground afforded excellent opportunities of carrying on her real hobby, that of garfening. Although the illustration on this page shows her with a trowel, there is really not much scope for gardening in their present home as the grounds are rather small, which, to quote Mrs. Semple, "‘is-perhaps

just as well, as.it takes such a lot of time to look fe a garden properly." Hung on the walls of the drawing-room are Severas’, paintings which Mrs, Semple did some years ago. One was rather a fine copy of Windsor Castle, one a head of a horse and another a typical New Zealand bush and river scene. Mrs. Semple finds no time now for this excellent hobby,. but would always go back to if ever socia] and political activities ‘permit. To. revert/yto Mr. Semple. He loves to get out into the open.air, especially with a shotgun. He is a good shot, and in both Australia and New Zealand has found much .diversion in week-end jaunts away from the rush of city life, .Mrs. Semple has accompanied him many times on these trips, which she regards as first-rate tonic after a hectic week. . In the last election for membership on the Hospital Board, Mrs, Semple was returned with a total vote of _more than 21,000, 4 tribute to her excellent work of the preceding years, She was instrumental in the abolition of the "means test" ag applied to treatment of outpatients; has worked for the Labour policy of a substantial reduction in charges for hospital treatment; has always believed" that ‘overtime should be paid to members of the hospit staff and. was identified in the movement for restoration $f 7% per cent. in their wages. In general she has worked hard for many things, has known what:‘she wanted, and hias: seen: that she has got it, :