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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 221, 22 October 1914, Page 6

Dr Newman, the courageous member for Wellington East, whose political vagaries; are at times very perplexing to the ■'Government, has established! himself for all time in the hearts of vanced and; enlightened womanhood'' — he succeeded in getting the House to pass an amendment to the Legislative Council Bill making women eligible for seats in the Upper House. Dr Newman is one of the unusual type of parliamentarians. He does not greatly concern himself Avith the more national questions of the day, but contents his soul with matters that the average politician overlooks or ignores. For instance,, he has spoken columns of Hansard on the subject of natural gas in. Taranaki, and no flippant ribaldries based on that phrase have deterred him from pressing on every conceivable opportunity for Government investigation. The more serious Dr Newman becomes on this pet subject the more amused are the legislators; His amendment to permit the fair sex being actively represented in the Council was received by the House last evening with considerable levity, but the mover faced a division, and won out handsomely. Congratulations to the gallant doctor and his clientele of militant woman's leagues would be x> rema ture at this stage. The legislative body, which is threatened with the new influences, has yet to give its decision on this little matter. The eminently serious Councillors Avill be placed in a somewhat.difficult position when asked either to admit women to their rauks or restrict their political activities to propaganda Avork. Whatever the outcome of this new proposition, Dr Newman is a certain winner. If contumacious and elderly legislators fail to see the advanages of his progressive legislation—well, he has done his best for the ladies, and no doubt the latter Avill recognise his efforts with a ballot-box gratitude.