CARTOON - A LITTLE BABY WITH A BIG BOTTLE

1923 - 1923
Overview

Scene has a mother holding a very large banana shaped bottle for a baby. [AUSTRALIA] is written on the collar of the woman's dress. Written on the bottle is MATERNITY / BONUS] and written on the clothes of the baby [THE / BIRTHRATE]. Looking on from the right is a man wearing a suit with an unhappy look on his face.
Ben Strange signature middle on bottom.
When the cartoon is published in the Western Mail ion 31 May 1923 it included the caption:
A LITTLE BABY WITH A BIG BOTTLE.
Discussing public health at the Premier's Conference, the Prime Minister (Mr Bruce) said that although the Commonwealth paid a maternity bonus of £5 for every virile child that was born, the best results had not been obtained, and an increased birth-rate had not been achieved. After having gone into the question he was certain that despite all criticism much good was being done by the maternity bonus in many cases.
MR. BRUCE: "SHOULD BE A BETTER DEVELOPED KID ACCORDING TO THE NOURISHMENT HE GETS - BUT IT'S OUR OWN ADOPTED ONE SO HE STAYS!"

Historical information

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.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-33-AK1999.80
Material
Inscriptions and markings

Artist's signature bottom middle [Ben Strange]

Statement of significance

HIGH
The Ben Strange cartoons are highly asthetically and Nationally significant as they depict many key figures linked to the history and development of both Western Australia and Australia. Political figures who regularly appeared in his cartoon’s included John ‘Happy Jack’ Scaddan, the Premier of Western Australia from 1911 until 1916, and William ‘Billy’ Hughes, the Prime Minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923.

Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Well provenanced
City of Armadale - History House

City of Armadale - History House

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