Mrs McCombs’ First Year

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 214, 7 September 1934, Page 2

Mrs McCombs’ First Year

In the course of an interview on the completion of 12 months as a member of Parliament, Mrs. McCombs said she had found the work ol Parliament a good deal like local body work. Questions of policy were thrashed out in debate on the floor of the House, but much of the essential work was done in Committee. It was in Committee that the administrative ability of members came to light, and many members had excited Mrs McCombs’ admiration for the remarkable skill and knowledge they brought to their work. “I believe that more of the administrative work could with advantage be carried out by the committees of tho House,” she continued. “Of course this would involve a good deal of adjustment, but the change would probably eliminate much, waste and extravagance. "While Parliament is sitting, the hours of work arc long and the work is continuous. One is facing problems all day long, and even one's letters often contain as many problems as there are letters. Parliament seems to me something like a school, in which all members are at the same time teachers and scholars. Everyone is anxious to. teach, but all are not willing to learn. I have greatly enjoved my first, year in Parliament, concluded Mrs. McCombs, “and it has been a privilege to have shared work with mv colleagues in one of the most difficult and most interesting periods in tho history of our country. Hvciy courtesy has been extended to me in the House. ”