PUBLIC CRECHE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23996, 20 June 1941, Page 8

PUBLIC CRECHE

REQUEST TO COUNCIL

WAR STRAIN ON MOTHERS

The. crying of a small child in the precincts <it the City Council chamber last night ivas a prelude to the arrival of a depuration from the United Women's Movement, which asked the council to establish and conduct a municipal creche in the city for the benefit of boil; mothers' and children.

Mrs. Patricia Kurd, speaking for the deputation; said a public creche had boon founded in Wellington and was proving most successful. The war had imposed a great strain on many mothers and it would he a relief to them if they could be assured of freedom for shoppiny and recreation. The child whom councillors had heard crying belonged to a member of the deputation. Iler husband was on shift work and she had had no option hut to bring it with her. The creche conducted by the Order of the Good Shepherd in Grey's Avenue was used beyond its capacity and had a long waiting list. Mrs. Hurd continued. The Y.W.C.A. maintained one, but it was open within limited hours and was available only to wives of men in the lighting forces. It was proposed that adequate charges should be made for the use of the municipal creche.

The Mayor. Mr. .1. A. C. Allum, said the matter had been brought up 12 months ago and the then Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, had consulted the suburban mayors regarding it. On Mr. A Hum's motion the request was referred to the council's health committee.