Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Wednesday 30 September 1936, page 19


'FLATS CURSE OF CIVILISATION'

Sydney Views Differ

'Plats are the curse of civilisation. t have known women who tried to rear children in flats, but they became nervous wrecks.'

witn tnese remarks, Mrs Ruby Duncan, vice-president of the Housewives' Association, supported the Mayor of Manly (Alderman Nolan), who told the health inspectors' conference to-day that flats prevented the population increasing at the normal rate. People who lived in flats wanted motor cars, dancing, and picture shows rather than 'children, he said. . Women generally were becoming more disinclined to assume the duties of motherhood in the first year or so of matrimony, said Mrs. Duncan. 'The desire for. a motor car causes many young couples to shirk parenthood and Its attendant expense,' she added. Mrs. P. A. Cameron, president of the Feminist Club, disagreed with the other speakers. 'I think the average woman to-day has as much love for children as she ever had,' she said. 'Plats do not prevent people having children. They have them just the same, and then seek homes in the suburbs.'