OFFICIAL OPENING

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 128, 24 February 1938, Page 4

OFFICIAL OPENING

Elizabeth McCombs Club The official opening of the Elizabeth McCombs Club for Labour women took place on Tuesday afternoon last in the club rooms, Kelburn Chambers, in the presence of a large and representative gathering. The president of the club, Mrs. Percy Dowse, welcomed the visitors, and explained that the club had been opened in memory of the late Mrs. Elizabeth McCombs, M.P., the first and only woman to enter the House of Representatives in New Zealand. The club filled a long felt want in the Labour movement, and much good work was being done in the club groups, namely In debating, drama eugenics, and home and garden groups. Mrs. Dowse wished to. pay tribute to the rank and file members who had worked so hard in the formation of the club, and she particularly mentioned Mesdames Martin and C. Stewart, the founders of the club. Mrs. Martin, in expressing her homage to the late Mrs. McCombs, M.P., said that the Elizabeth McCombs club aimed at helping Labour women to fit themselves for duty side by side with the men in achieving a greater and better future for the country. Mrs. C. Stewart, Labour candidate for Wellington West in the forthcoming Parliariientary elections, said that she would continue to blaze the trail started by the late Mrs. McCombs, “our men,” she said, “need women to give the woman’s view-point in affairs of State.”

Mrs. ,P. Fraser, J.P., said how sorry Mr. Fraser was at not being able to attend, as he had been looking forward to being present. Mrs. Fraser congratulated the women who had worked so hard to get the Elizabeth McCombs Club for Labour women established; the club, she considered, was very necessary in order to enable the Labour women of Wellington to get together. On behalf of Mr.. Fraser and herself she wished the club every success, and she particularly offered congratulations and best, wishes to Mrs. C. Stewart on her candidature for Wellington West.

Mr. T. McCombs, M.P., gave a brief and most interesting resume of the life and work of fils late mother, which was intensely interesting, especially to the women present. Representing the Prime Minister, Right Hon. M. J. Savage, the AttorneyGeneral, Hon. H. G. R. Mason, was then called upon to open the club. Among those present were the following council members of the club and visitors:—The Hon I-I. G. R. Mason and Mrs. Mason, Mr. T. McCombs, M.P., Mr. J. Robertson, M.P. and Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. P. Fraser, Mrs. J. A. Lee, Mrs. Reid (vice-president), Mrs. 0. Stewart (secretary), Mrs. Blake (treasurer), Mesdames 11. J. Palmer, Love, Mitchell, Logie, Shepherd, Tunzleman, Outfield, Martin, Bentley and Hayman.

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