LIVELY INTERLUDE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 19, 24 January 1929, Page 12

LIVELY INTERLUDE

WOMEN IN COMMONS

SOME SHARP EXCHANGES

Australian Press Association —United Serylc* (Received 24th January, 2.15 p.m.) LONDON, 23rd January. A debate on the Local Government, Bill in Committee in the Houso of Commons led to lively exchanges between women members. Mr. A. Greenwood (Lab.) moved an amendment preserving the system of tho Government giving, £ for £ subsidy to aid the municipal maternity child welfare service. . ■ . ■ . Lady Iveagh (C.) opposed this. Miss Wilkinson (Lab.): "It ill behoves a lady who is a milionaire. She has taken every possible care of her own children, but will opposo the extension of maternity . child welfare clinics." Lady Astor (C.) jumped up and said: "It would be as reasonable to say you have no right to talk about children, because you are not a mother." Miss Wilkinson:. "One expects that kind of sneer." Lady Astor: "One need not be poor to have a heart. Rich women aro just as interested iv infant welfare as o th ers." • ",■''" Mr. Hudson (Lab.): "You are more interested iv keeping your money." Lady Astor: "Bats!" , The Chairman intervened. Mr. Neville Chamberlain (Minister of Health) said that everyone was most proud of the maternity child welfare centres, which materially contributed to a reduction of infant mortality. He believed that the' metEbds and grants outlined in the Bill were in the best interests of the service. The amendment was negatived by 206 votes to 130.