"A MATERNAL CANTEEN."

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13507, 29 August 1912, Page 7

"A MATERNAL CANTEEN."

M. Charles Stern, a French philanthropist, has inaugurated a scheme for increasing tho birth-rats among the working classes of Paris, which, on .account of its thoroughness j mcHs the Commonwealth Labour Government's maternity grant of £5 for each birth look like a superficial, haphazard method of dealing with a great .'problem. In the Vincennes district of Paris M. Stern has erected a block of four buildings, which contain 109 flats. Sorno of the, fiats consist of two rooms, some of three rooms, and others of four rooms. The rent of the smallest flats is • fixed at £10 a, year, that of tho three-roomed flats at £13, and the rental of the large flats will bo £16. But whenever a baby arrives in one of these flats the happy father will not lie charged any rent for the following quarter. So far the scheme is on the lines of the maternity grant of the Commonwealth, Avith the addition that tho •flats, being constructed' on the latest hygienic principles, represent an important factor in tho. health of the parents; but M. Stern realises that an increased birth-rate is only ono factor in tho continued prosperity of a nation. His scheme goes further, and.aims at giving tho babies the host chance of growing up. In connection with these flats ho has established a restaurant, which is already known as. the "maternal canteen," for the special purpose of it is to provide free luncheons and dinners to mothers who'feed'their infants at the breast. A dispensary for tho "'sale- at cost price of medicines required for newly-born infants is included in the scheme, and tho flats also contain a swimming bath, washhouso, and library.