McCOMBS, JAMES (1873-1933) was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, and arrived in New Zealand in 1876 with his parents, who settled in Christchurch. He attended the Sydenham and East Christchurch schools, and studied for the Anglican ministry, but turned to social and political work. Radical in outlook, he joined the Progressive Liberal Association, of which H. G. Ell was president. In 1908 he unsuccessfully contested the Christchurch East seat and in 1911 he was defeated in the Avon electorate. In 1913, standing as a Social Democrat, he entered Parliament as member for Lyttelton, which seat he held continuously against strong opposition until his death on 2 Aug 1933.

McCombs was an astute parliamentarian, an incisive speaker and an effective debater. He played an important part in the development of the parliamentary Labour party. From 1913 to 1917, and from 1931 to 1933, he was a member of the Christchurch City Council, and for some time chairman of the finance committee. He was president of the Canterbury No-license council, and a member of the New Zealand Alliance. While employed in the drapery trade, he was president of the Canterbury drapers assistants' union; and he was a founder of the Burgesses' Association. In 1903 he married Elizabeth Reid Henderson (q.v.).

N.Z.P.D., 1918-33; Who's Who N.Z., 1924, 1932; Post, 2 Aug 1933.

Reference: Volume 2, page 5

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