Sue,—" Obstetric Practitioner " complains that " the wife of
an insured man can spend fourteen days in hospital at a cost to the nation of £15 a week, and yet receive all the cash benefits without deduction." So, of course, can an insured woman. When I first-went to the ante-natal clinic the lady almoner explained that these payments were not for the baby, but to enable the household to have paid help while the mother is unable to do the housework she normally does. I expect "Obstetric Practitioner " knows of damage done to women who have started on housework too soon after a confinement. There can be few women these days whd do no work in the house,- and these few need not 'claim the benefits and probably do not have " National Health " babies.
As a fully insured woman, I shall get 36s. for thirteen weeks. I regret I haven't yet read the leaflet N.1.17, as instructed, but believe this is more than wives of insured men receive. Thirty-six shillings is not much to pay for the housewcirk and laundry I normally do myself, and certainly does not replace the contribution I make to the household expenses when 1 am earning, but it is a help of which I shall be glad, and to which I contributed while 1 was earning. Nevertheless, these payments will not compensate for the ever-increasing cost of everything a baby (or. adult) needs. I thoroughly agree with Mr. Taplin, In his summing 'up of this series, that we are being altogether.too passive in treating these rises
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