1933: 'A red-letter day for women'
Hey neighbours,
Did you know...
“Although New Zealand is believed to have been the first country in the world to give women the right to sit in Parliament, it is one of the few which have consistently refused to elect a woman to its national assembly,” The Press wrote on September 14, 1933.
“Legislation permitting women to stand for Parliament was introduced in 1919 by the then Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, and subsequently passed.”
Lyttelton MP Elizabeth McCombs had just shattered that glass ceiling after a by-election, becoming New Zealand’s first woman MP.
She had previously run as the Labour candidate in Kaiapoi and Christchurch North and became the Lyttelton candidate in a by-election after the death of her husband, James, who had held the seat since 1913.
The Press noted that “Mrs McCombs’s majority is larger than any Mr McCombs secured during his whole 20 years in Parliament”.
The Press reported from a packed Returned Soldiers’ Association Hall in Lyttelton.
“‘This is the proudest moment of my life,’ said Mrs McCombs, ‘but yet one of the saddest. You all know that my husband wished more than anything else on earth that I should sit in Parliament, and we had both hoped we should sit there together. I cannot help feeling a tinge of bitterness that it was not to be.’
McCombs died before the 1935 election, and was succeeded by her son, Sir Terence McCombs, who held the Lyttelton seat until 1951.
Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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41.1% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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57.2% No, I enjoy it
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1.8% Other - I'll share below
Christchurch's Unique Degustation Experience.
Looking for a memorable dinner in Christchurch?
Chillingworth Road . The restaurant offers a beautifully considered seasonal tasting menu that showcases outstanding New Zealand produce, presented with real care and creativity. The atmosphere is intimate, relaxed and perfect for a special evening out.
If you’ve been thinking about trying it, check their bookings there are sometimes a few midweek tables available.
A great excuse for a date night or catching up with friends over something a bit special.
Poll: 🪰 Should the city invest money into researching the new Bypass Plan, or should we prioritise fixing the existing infrastructure?
As reported in the Press, the debate over the Bromley odour continues. Recently, a Bypass Plan has been proposed as a potential solution - this involves pumping sewage into the sea. However, official technical, scientific, and environmental reports on this plan and how it may impact the Canterbury region aren't finished yet.
Before we get the final word from the consultants, we want to know what the community thinks about the allocation of rates and resources.
We want to know: Should the city invest money into researching the new Bypass Plan, or should we prioritise fixing and upgrading the existing infrastructure?
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7.8% Research the Bypass
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84.4% Fix Existing Infrastructure
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7.8% Undecided/Need more info
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