Baby Bonus.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1922, Page 3

Baby Bonus.

KEVIEW IN AUSTRALIA. j SYDNEY. Aug. 16. j Tber are indications that the- pre- ; sent system of payment of ai. Federal iiahv bonus to mothers, in which legis- , hit ion Australia is said to have leu j ,1,0 world, is to go bv tlie board. . Tim Federal Treasurer lias been considerin'' whether the sum of approxi- j mutely" 6750,000 per annum paid m maternity allowances could not be more | profitably spent on the provision of j medical attention lor maternity cases It is believed that a saving of .E2oo,oor> ..„„ld he effected by a more judicious application of tlio money distributed lor maternity allowances. Proposals have been forwarued i<the Ministry on behalf of the Federal committee of the British Medical ysoeiation, urging the more effective spending of the money provided under tl„. Maternity Allowances Act, so as to obtain a reduction in material morpditv and morbidity, and in infantile mortality. The proposals which were drawn up by the committee alter ' „ consultation with the State branches of the Association, arc as follows:l rph 0 extension of maternity nospitals and ante-natal clinics and infant welfare centres. 9 The provision ol move efficient midwifery training for nurses and medical students. q The provision of help for motners and expectant mothers in necessitous circumstances. • , 4 Such other measures ns are advised from time to time by medical oxperiewb

A return issued by* the Treasury ‘liows that- claims for the maternity allowance representing a payment ot C54J53Q were ..granted during July; The total number of claims was 10,90 b, compared with 10,934 during July last venr and 11.134 in July, 1920.