, 1885-07-08
P R OF E E D. I N GS
OF THE
FOR ST. CROIx.

UG2 " says lIldU LAO - IAN ooN
ries of the midwives in town and country
is due to the fact, that the $500 salary for
the town midwives is the sum now allowed,
and it was considered proper that there
should he % couple of posts better salaried
in order to offer something to which the
others GU lower salaries might aspire and
arrive in time to come. For the rest he
would willingly admit that perhaps the
amounts of salaries for the midwives III the
country are somewhat too small !; and this
is one of the points to which he had allud-
ed when speaking of the possibility OF al
terations in the Draft. 1t is a matter OF
course that when introducing a new ar
rangement dis this now before us, we have
to be as economical as possible, owing 10
the poor state of the public finances; on
the other hand We must pay what is really
necessary.
He quite agreed with the last hon.
durable Speaker that the great cause of in-
FAINT mortality here is the neglect to which
children are exposed, on the part OF mo
theirs and of fathers; but he did not ex-
actly agree that the greatest fault lies with
the fathers; the mothers bear the greatest
fault when children are not properly cared,
and when fathers are not brought to pay
more often for children, this Is not the fault
of the law, but the fault of the mothers,
who do not care to bring the fathers before
the Courts of law; but III another Draft
soon to come before the Council there are
measures proposed TO secure the mothers
better facilities to obtain help III such i'll
stances.
ind Member for FrederikSted'S Country
District (HelUitt), would beg to observe
that he had not meant to advocate higher
salaries for the country midwives he con
csIocnI fl,O oolo1ioS En. flA fnyyI "A nj VI a
too high.
1st Member for Christiansted's Country
District Birch would, as we have now had
public Midwives for some time III the coun-
try districts, beg to enquire if the Govern
ments statistics show any greater percen'
tage OF living children of those born, now
compared with previous periods.
The Governor said he hoped to be able to
answer the question raised by the hOnoura-
bic Speaker, when a sufficient number OF
years has elapsed after this Ordinance has
been in operation; hitherto we have had
only one Midwife in the Country Districts,
aud up to now we are in want OF all stats
ties on which to base any conclusions.
But it is known from other West India
Islands that proper Midwife attendance is
a very great thing and has produced mark
ed improvements.
Guu NucIlUtE IOE EICUCllhStCO OOU"ShJ
District IHewittl would furthermore call
attention to 4 providing suitable pension
for midwives, if discharged on account OF
old age and infirmity; it should be added
that the consent of the Colonial Council IL
necessary, whenever "a pension is neces-
sary.
The Governor stated that as the amount
of pension is not mentioned in the Draft.
it is clear that the consent of the Colonial
Council will be necessary whenever such "a
pension is to be given.
Bird Member for Christiansted WGssGrdl
said, there might be difference of opinion
as to details of the Draft, but as a whole
he thought that the Draft should be ac-
copied by the Council with great willing
ness. The great mortality prevalent mere
among infants, is a fact too well ESTABLISH
ell, and it is the obvious duty of the Com
munity to redress that evil. The honoura-
BILE 2nd Member for Frederiksteds Country
District Hewitt found that the measures
are not sufficient; perhaps they are not;
but he nevertheless this Draft is a step In the
right direction therefore he supposed tlat
the Council will readily adopt it. he
would only beg to make a few remarks LOT
consideration with regard to detalS; In
5 5, last part, it is proposed to enact tnae
"Midwives must attend without payment
all women who receive support from the
Poor. Department or who are known to be