SHE OBJECTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 142, 18 June 1938, Page 13

SHE OBJECTED.

FLATTERING REMARK. "THE CHARMING LADY." YOUNG COUNCILLOR PROTESTS (Special.—By Air Mull.) LONDON', May 26. Miss Barbara Betts, 8.A., Socialist member of St. l'ancras Borough Council, stopped outside her Coran Street. W.C.. home to tell a "Daily Kxpresn" «.taff reporter why she objected, in the council, to a flattering remark made by Sir David Davies. Said red-haired Betts: "I'm in a •jreat liurry to liiiv an e;j'_ r . but I will tell you first how he annoyed me." Sir David ]>avies. the council's leader and father, referred to Mis* Betts -in an unemployment debate the previous evening—as "the charming lady." Members protected, «aid the remark was "patronising." Miss Betts herself asked: "Can't sex attraction, or otherwise, be left out of the business of the council." The Mayor, Councillor John Sperni. called Sir David to order when he replied to her: "If there is a thorougli-born aristocrat in appearance on this council, you are one." Outside the house where she lim a top-floor flat Miss Betts, squaring her shoulders, explained: — "There are four of us young women Labour members on this council, and all of us suffer from the same sort of |>alroni«ing flattery from time to time. Wo dislike it. Members of the council

a •bould b« treated junt ■« member* are in the House of Commons. Any charm we may have has nothing to do with council business. We are not there to show but to work for the good of the people. "To-night I'm going to a Labour committee meeting. There won't be any of that sort of nonsense there. I don't know what Sir ]>avi<i meant by talking about 'aristocratic appearance.' lint it rounds oxtremly silly, doesn't it Asked if i>he minded l>eing flattered out of council hours. Miss Hott— said: •'Honestly, I couldn't answer that. But off the council I'm not 'the charming lady' any more than a male member is 'that handsome young man." "Now for that egg. I'm hungry."