Let children learn to solve their own problems—says MP

More than 100 members of Golders Green's League of Jewish Women attended their annual lunch last week when Finchley's MP, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, and the Mayoress of Barnett, Mrs. Ena Constable, were the principal guests of honour.

The lunch was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cyril King, of Woodlands, Golders Green, who lend it for this purpose every year.

Despite the fact that they were away on holiday this year and could not be present they allowed the league to use the house and garden as usual.

Three parts

After lunch Mrs. Thatcher told members something about her work as a member of parliament. She said that it could be divided into three parts, constituency, parliamentary and international work.

“It is from continuing personal contacts made in a constituency that national policy is built up,” said Mrs. Thatcher.

School

In fact every political problem is really a combination of personal problems. Many people would deal with their own personal problems, instead of going to someone else, if they had any idea of how to start.

“When I visit a girls' school I am always anxious that they should be taught about household management and how to budget.

“Many girls never learn this and when they marry are always in money troubles. Young people should be taught to solve their own problems and this should be done at school.

“One of the problems of politics is that if everyone has had everything free until 21 it requires a colossal turn around to stop taking out of the country and start putting in.

Money

“But that is exactly what they will have to do because as things stand half the population has not only to keep themselves but to provide money for the other half—the young and the old.”

Mrs. Constable who proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Thatcher said that it was often said that women could not speak but only matter. “They should come and hear Mrs. Thatcher and they would change their minds,” she added.