“DIDN’T WANT FEMALES.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 190, 12 August 1931, Page 1

“DIDN’T WANT FEMALES.”

Reformers Give Reply to Deputation. AUCKLAND EAST SEAT. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, August 12. Margaret Campbell, J.P., and six other women, write to the Press relating to the Reform nomination for the Auckland East electorate (for which the Hon. J. B. Donald is the sitting member). They stated that a deputation chosen from women who desired Miss Melville to stand for Auckland East waited upon members of the Reform Party’s executive to ask their endorsement of her candidature. This was refused on two grounds: (1) That nominations for the Auckland East seat had closed thirteen months ago and a candidate had been chosen (that gentleman is not the candidate now announced, Sir George Richardson) ; (2) that Miss Melville was a woman, and, whatever her abilities, that would absolutely bar her so far as they were concerned. “ They didn’t want any females.” The deputation thereupon said that they would like to take up that challenge by putting -Miss Melville forward a.« the “ women’s candidate ” without party affiliations. Knowing that Sir George Richardson had recently been asked by the Reform Party to consent to nomination for Auckland East, and not wishing to oppose him if he was already in the field. Miss Melville’s committee then sent a representative to ask him if he intended standing for the seat. He replied definitely, “ No,” stating that he had been approached, but was not interested in politics, and the sug- | gestion did not appeal to him. On that assurance the committee went on with its arrangements, and a week later announced that Miss Melville had consented to stand as the women s candidate ” for Auckland East