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104
With regard to unmarried mothers, only one state law, that of
Michigan, grants an allowance to them, and when that is done, it
is not paid to her as such, i.e., as an " unmarried mother," but
the Court records her as a " deserted mother." Up to the end of 1917
no unmarried mothers had been pensioned.
The question as to whether British mothers can be trusted has
been raised. All over England where Judge Neil lectured on the
need for mothers' pensions he found people who said, " This plan
may work well in America ; but it would be hopeless here, because
the mothers would spend every penny in drink."
As against this argument it may be stated that Lady Beatty
organised a fund for the wives and children of the sailors killed in
action. She supplemented the war pensions by regular monthly
cheques, so that these mothers need not go out to work, but could
stay at home and look after their children. Four hundred widows
were cared for in this Way, and out of this number only two were
found incapable. So that among the ordinary rank and file of
British mothers the pensions plan has already been tried with
signal success.
We have carefully considered this question, and are unanimously
in favour of the proposal, which we believe would be
beneficial to home life and infant welfare.
DAY CRECHES.
There are three day creches in the Borough, one situated in the
east end of the Borough, Eton Mission Day Nursery, and the others
in the west end of the Borough, the " John " Day Creche at 61
Downham Road, and another at 49, Mortimer Road, both in
De Beauvoir Town. The latter is reserved for the children of married
parents (orphans).
Owing to lack of public support the " John " Day Creche was
, closed definitely at the end of March, 1920.