Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 2. 7th March 1973

[Introduction]

Photo of Ken Comber

Ken Comber, Wellington Central's new National Member of Parliament, has something in common with university students. On the wall of his parliamentary office he has hung a copy of "Desiderata", a document found in St Paul's Church, Baltimore, in 1692."It reads in part: "Be on good terms with all persons, speak your truth quietly and clearly. Listen to others".

Last session, like many other new candidates, he could be seen quietly around parliament buildings doing just this; speaking to his father-in-law, Sir Keith Holyoake, or wedged in the public gallery among parties of inky-fingered fourth form schoolgirls.

Since being sworn in on February 14, he has remained almost as unobtrusive. Few words have passed his lips in the house, but he is planning to give notice of motion on the Aboriginal league team. He has also submitted one written question to the order paper. Ken Comber has been placed on two parliamentary select committees (petitions, and commerce and mining) and two caucus committees (community services and social affairs). He delivered his maiden speech last Thursday. But this is all understandable for a member who holds his seat by a precarious 27 votes and while it is still a matter of legal dispute as to who will finally hold Wellington Central.