FIRST WOMAN MEMBER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22065, 22 September 1933, Page 9

FIRST WOMAN MEMBER

MRS M'COMBS TAKES HER SEAT SHOWER OF CONGRATULATIONS (From Oou Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 21. The opening of a session of Parliament has always been an occasion for the women of Wellington. To-day, it was a special occasion, for they saw the first member of their sex to be elected to Parliament take her place in the House of Representatives. The arrival of Mrs M'Combs in the Legislative Council Chamber when members of the House were summoned to hear the Speech from the Throne caused a great stir in the crowded galleries. Heads were craned forward, and many whispered comments were passed as she was escorted to the front row by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) and the Opposition Whip (Mr E. J. Howard) between whom she. took her seat. Mrs M'Combs was wearing what fashion writers described as a tailored suit of heather mixture brown, with a light silk blouse with turnover collar. Following her custom when she sits on local bodies in Christchurch, she wore no hat. She appeared somewhat nervous, but survived her first ordeal conspicuously well. When Mrs M'Combs entered the House of Representatives and took the front bench next to Mr D. G. Sullivan, formerly occupied by her husband, she was greeted by a round of applause which she acknowledged with a bow. The Prime Minister (Mr Forbes), Mr Coates, and the other members of the Cabinet crossed the floor in turn to give her their congratulations. Her desk was prettily decorated with three bouqets—one from the women in the gallery, another from an admirer, and the third, a large basket of tulips, from a local florist.

Immediately members of the House had returned from the ceremonial in the Council Chamber, Mrs M‘Corabs was sworn in by the Speaker (Sir Charles Statham), who had notified her husband’s death and the vacancy which it caused. Escorted by Mr Sullivan and Mr Howard, she walked forward to the Speaker’s dais and received his warm greetings. She then repeated after him the oath of loyalty to his Majesty the King, and as she signed her name to it at the clerk’s desk she was applauded by the whole House. . : : The appearance in the Council Chamber of Mrs M’Combs made necessary a slight recasting of the old phrase in which his Excellency addresses members of the General gentlenjen of the Legislative Council and members of the House pf Representatives,” Was the new mode of address employed, and his Excellency accented significantly the word “ members,” which replaces the word “gentlemen.” Although on one occasion a Bill was promoted with the object of allowing the appointment of women to the Legislative Council the proposed legislation did not reach the Statute Book, and accordingly no alteration was necessary in the mode of addressing members of the Upper House. Mrs M’Coinbs was one of the first on her feet when the time came for notices of questions. The questions she asked covered matters of which she made a great deal during her campaign in the Lyttelton by-election. From the Minister of Employment (Mr Hamilton) she sought information whether the Government proposed this session to make provision under the Unemplyment Act for youths between 10 and 21 years of age and for unemployed women and girls. She also asked the Minister of Justice (Mr Cobbe) to legislate for the raising of the marriage age for both sexes to 16 years. At present, she said, the age was 12 years for girls and 14 years for boys. The new member has had many congratulations since she arrived at Parliament House. Many residents of Wellington and leaders of women’s organisations called on her personally, and during the day she received several messages from abroad. One of these was from Mra Corbett Ashby, president of the International Women’s Suffrage Alliance, who cabled as follows from London:—“The warmest congratulations of the Alliance to the first woman member.” The Western Australia Parliamentary Labour Party sent a message in similar terms, and from the Australian Federation of Women Voters Mrs M’Combs received a letter expressing the hope that the door of Parliament which she had opened would allow other women to follow. The federation mentioned that Australia has had four women in the State_ Parliaments, of whom only one, Mies May Holman (Western Australia) is at present a sitting member. Since Mrs M’Combs arrived at Parliament buildings the notice, “ Ladies not admitted,” has been removed from the restaurant and billiard room at Bellamy’s. She will have a room of her own in the wooden building in the suite occupied last session by the Minister of Employment and formerly the offices of Mr Massey.