WOMAN PROTESTS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 148, 19 March 1931, Page 11

WOMAN PROTESTS

Prayers Interrupted INCIDENT IN HOUSE The voice of a woman calling out from the Ladies’ Gallery caused a momentary disturbance when the House of Representatives assembled yesterday afternoon. Air. Speaker had just taken the chair aud was about to say the opening prayer when a woman in the front row rose in her seat and made some half-audible remarks. There was a moment of suspense and all eyes were directed at the gallery. A messenger approached tlie woman and directed her to a seat, but immediately after prayers she again approached the balustrade, and leaning over it, commenced to speak ouce more. “There’s your Child Welfare Act,” she called out, at tbe same time tearing up some papers and throwing litem into the body of the Chamber. She was requested to leave, aud as she walked out muttered somethig about a young girl who plunged herself into Auckland harbour rather than continue to be a State ward any longer. Questioned afterwards by a “Dominion” representative, the interrupter said that her name was Constance AlcAdam, and her pen name was Constance Clyde. She was a member of the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom, and was well known in Auckland. She bad always been against the Child Welfare Act, the inner workings of which were not understood by the general public. She could give instances where it worked against both parents and children, aud if the full particulars were known something would be done to rectify the wrong. . “At all events,” concluded Airs. AlcAdam, “I am tbe first woman to speak in Parliament!” Mrs. McAdam. states that she was unaware that the House opened with prayer.