"SPECIAL ADVANTAGES"

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 65, 14 September 1933, Page 12

"SPECIAL ADVANTAGES"

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day

The "Otago Daily Times" says:—"lt was a shrewd move on the part of the Socialists to present as their candidate the widow of the late member. The effect was certainly to secure in their favour a sympathetic vote of unascertainablo yet undoubtedly large dimensions. It was actually suggested that opposition to her implied lack of chivalry. The idea that any principle of family succession should apply on the death of a member \s so flimsy that it will not bear a moment's reflection. Mrs. McCouibs had, however, claims on the consideration of the electors that constituted her, apart from reliance on any sentimental plea, as formidable as any other candidate whom her party might havo selected. There is no reason for supposing that the fail - uro of women candidates in the past was due merely or principally to their i sex. It is probable that if Mrs. McCombs lost any votes because she is a woman she gained just as many for that reason. -Besides, the special circumstances in which tho Lyttelton election was contested gave her a distinct advantage that was not enjoyed by any of tho women candidates, including herself, who were defeated at the previous elections. Whether her success may or may not.encourage the candidature of women in the future, she lis to be congratulated oii,haying gained the distinction bf being the first member of her sex to secure, a seat iv Parliament by the votes of the electors.