6 JUNE 1896, Page 3

There has been a great innovation started in the House

of Commons of which we do not at all approve. Women waitresses have been started to serve the tea on the river terrace instead of the conventional waiters of former times. They are said to be "neat, tastefully dressed girls with black uniform dresses, but with charming varieties of white muslin, and lace caps and trimmings and aprons." That is by no means a wise innovation. It is sure to lead to flirtations ani scandals not at all likely to increase the political repute of the House of Commons. We trust the Pall Mall clubs will not follow this very unfortunate example. It may possibly help women's suffrage, but will certainly increase women's suffering.