Lady Astor: “Rats!"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 570, 24 January 1929, Page 9

Lady Astor: “Rats!"

WOMEN M.P.’S STAGE LIVELY DEBATE

Millionaires and Child Welfare

A LIVELY debate in which a Viscountess was heard to say “Rats' 7 ' occurred among some women members of the ilouse of Commons, on an amendment concerning a Government subsidy for municipal maternity and childwelfare clinics.

(United I*.A. — By Telegraph — Cop] rightJ (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Reed. 12.45 p.m. LONDON, Wed. The debate on the Local Government Bill in committee led to lively exchanges among the women members. A Conservative member, Mr. P. G. Gates, supported Mr. A. Greenwood (Labour), who moved an amendment preserving the system of government pound-for-pound aid to municipal maternity and child-welfare service.

Lady Iveagli opposed the amendment. “It ill behoves a lady who is a millionaire and has every possible care for her own children to oppose the extension of maternity and child-wel-fare clinics,” said Miss E. Wilkinson (Labour). Lady A s t o r

jumped up. “It would be as reasonable to say that, you had no right to talk about children, because you are not a mother.”

“One expects that kind of sneer.'’ retorted Miss Wilkinson. “One needn't be poor to have a heart.” said Lady Astor. “Rich women are just as interested ta infant welfare as others.” “You are more interested in keeping your money,” said Mr. J. H. Hudson (Labour). Lady Astor: Rats! At this stage the chairman intervened. “Everyone is most proud of tur maternity and child-welfare centres, which have materially contributed 10 the reduction of infant mortality.” said the Rt. Hon. Neville Chamberlain (Conservative). He believed that the Bill’s methods of making giants was in the best interests of these services. The amendment was lost by 206 votes to 130.