MRS. E. R. McCOMBS, M.P.

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 71, 21 September 1933, Page 12

MRS. E. R. McCOMBS, M.P.

FIRST WOMAN MEMBER

TAKES SEAT IN HOUSE

A scene unique in the Parliamentary history'Of New Zealand was -enacted in the House of Bepresentatives this afternoon, when Mrs. X B. McCombs, the newly-elected Labour member for Lyttelton, and the first woman to take her seat in the New Zealand Parliament, was sworn in by the Speaker (the Hon. Sir Charles Statham). The ceremony was witnessed with close interest by crowded galleries. Mrs. McCombs was sponsored by the Whips of the Labour Party, Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) and Mr: E. J. Upward: (Christchurch South). _As she approached Mr. Speaker's' Chair she was warmly applauded by her fellow-mem-bers, and the applause was resumed as she returned to her seat, that in the front Opposition benches formerly occupied by her husband. Mrs. McCombs will not wear a hat in Parliament. Discussing the question on her arrival from the south this morning) she said that during her many attendances at local body meetings she had always remained hatless, and as that was the most convenient method she proposed to continue the practice when seated in the chamber of the House. The new member had many callers this morning and was the recipient of numerous verbal and written congratulatory messages. Later in the morning she was photographed with a group of colleagues in the Labour Whips' room.

When Mrs. McCombs entered the chamber and took the seat formerly occupied by her late husband she was greeted by a round of applause which she acknowledged with a bow. Immediately she had taken her seat the Prime Minister crossed the floor and extended his congratulations to her. He was followed by Mr. Coates and other members of Cabinet. Her desk was decorated with a \-ase of tulips.