LEGISLATOR AT 24

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20244, 2 May 1929, Page 9

LEGISLATOR AT 24

BRITAIN'S NEW WOMAN M.P.

[from OUR own correspondent.] LONDON", March 27. 1 The new woman M.P., the' tenth woman in the present House of Commons, began life in humble circumstances in Lochgelly, Fife, where she attended an elementary school. She is now only 24. Early brilliance saw her graduate to Edinburgh University, where she earned renown both for her academic progress and her debating skill. Her political faith found expression as a prominent member of the Edinburgh University Labour Club. She took her degree in arts with honours, but remained at the university, to take her LL.B. degree. After she had been, one year at tho university, Miss Leo was practically selfsupporting, and she won a two-year travelling scholarship on the Continent. The first working-class woman to graduate as a lawyer, she has made an extensive study of politics. Her grandfather, Mr. Michael Lee, was the first Socialist town councillor in Lochgelly. Her father, a miner, never earned more than £3 a week.

During the campaign Miss Lee concentrated on unemployment. Her proposals lor dealing with the problem were:—(l) An increased home market by improving the purchasing powers of the workers through better wages and larger pensions; (2) increased foreign trade, particularly by resuming trade with Russia; (3) industrial reconstruction under national controls (4) the re-establishment and extending of State assistance to the unemployed. _ Miss Lee also declared in favour' of the nationalisation of mines, a living wage.and the imposition of a surtax. She was in favour of Home Rule for Scotland. Her teaching career at Glencraig school was only interrupted by the by-election and by permission of the Fife education authorities. Daring the by-election she earned the reputation of being what tho Scots term "a bonnie fechter," and addressed an average of 20 meetings weekly. The present number of women M.P.'s is the largest that has ever sat in tho House of Commons. Five are LabouritesMiss Wilkinson, Miss Bondfield, Miss Lawrence, Mrs. Dalton nod Miss Lee. Four arc Conservatives —tho Duchess of Atholl, Lady Astor, Lady Iveagh and Mrs. Phillipson. The one Liberal is Mrs. Ruaciman.