Kōrero: Family welfare

The introduction of means-tested family allowances in 1926 for workers with large families encouraged employers to think that the needs of families would be met by the state. If this was the case, they did not have to pay a 'family wage'. Employers also argued that some men did not have financial dependants. This cartoon highlights the way information about the average family responsibilities of waterside workers was used by the Arbitration Court during award negotiations in 1929.