CARTOON - A LITTLE BABY WITH A BIG BOTTLE

In 1912 the Fisher Labour introduced the maternity allowance as a way to reduce infant mortality rates in Australia. The allowance was neither means nor character tested so it would not be seen as charity. In 1912 the Australian infant mortality rate was around 75 deaths per 1,000 live births.
At the same time there was also a belief that Australia was 'under-populated' and that Australia needed to 'populate or persish'. The general public saw the maternity bonus was designed to encourage Australia to populate the country.
In 1923 the Bruce Country Party Government came under pressure regarding the bonus as it was seen as a failure because there had been no increase in the national birth rate. Infant mortality during this time had slowly dropped to under 50 deaths per 1,000 live births though how much this had to do with the allowance compared to improved health knowledge and facilities is unclear. In 1923 a Royal Commission was held into the effectiveness of the Maternity Allowance that found the allowance had allowed more women to access medical assistance in the year after birth. The Maternity Allowance was discontinued in 1978.
This cartoon shows the Australian Prime Minister Mr. Stanley Bruce contemplating reports that Australia's birth rate continues to fall despite the Commonwealth Governments Maternity Bonus of 5 pounds for each virile child born.
Reports discussing Public Health made by Prime Minister Bruce at the Premiers Conference states:
Although the Commonwealth paid a maternity bonus of 5 pounds for each virile child that was born, the best results had not been obtained and an increased birth rate had not been achieved.
After having the question, Prime Minister Bruce was certain that despite all criticism much good was being done by the maternity bonus in many cases.