Family Wage.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1922, Page 1

Family Wage.

PROPOSAL IN N.S.W.

SYDNEY, May 31. An interesting suggestion for a child endowment scheme has been put before the Premier by the Family Wage League, led by Mr A. D. Piddington, K.C., who ns an Inter-State Commissioner a few years ago gained considerable insight into Australian economic conditions. The scheme was put forward ns an alternative to tho present basic wage. It was pointed out that by being compelled to pay tho same basic wage to married and single men, although it was assessed on the standard of living for a man, his wife, and three children, employers in Australia, in effect, wore being called upon to pay for 2,000,000 children who did not exist. It was claimed that the child endowment scheme would relieve employers of part of the unfair burden they were carrying on wage payments. The scheme was that every adult male employee, single or married, with or without children, should receive, a flat minimum wage for a man and his. wife, instead of paying for three children as in the present inclusive basic wage. Employers should contribute to a Commonwealth fund enough for tho needs of the actual children of employees in the Commonwealth. From this source an endowment should ho paid by the Commonwealth for each dependent child "f an employee. The Premier lias promised to investigate the scheme and submit it to Cabinet.