The Making of a Good White - E-thesis - Helsinki.fi

money each family had spent on furniture during that year. The CHL condemned
the purchase of expensive furniture and cars on a hire purchase
agreement that exceeded the tenants’ income and status. People were not
to present a status that was perceived to be above their level, and too lavish
spending was also seen to contribute to discord among tenants. The
discussions held on the ownership of motorcars illustrate this attitude. At
first the residents were only allowed to have cars if the CHL judged they
could afford them. They were not yet at a stage where they would be allowed
to use money freely, or to show off their status as whites.
“…this Committee is of the opinion that the privilege of possessing a
motor car should be determined by the Social and Economic circumstances
of the applicant. In the case of those tenants who have abused
this privilege, every effort should be made by the company through its
Social Workers to resort to the method of moral persuasion in convincing
the family of the unwisdom of the possession of a car.” (CHL,
SWR: 1942.)
At the beginning of the 1940s people were indeed penalised for owning
cars, and the Company thoroughly investigated the circumstances of every
family applying for a right to own one. During the Second World War
car ownership decreased, but in 1950 25 per cent of tenants had cars. The
CHL found this to be too high a percentage, and a recommendation was
made that only those who used cars in order to earn their living should be
allowed to own a vehicle. (CHL, SWR: 1950.)
“Recreation is as necessary to a working class family as to other families
but it is possible to obtain it in much cheaper ways. A car is the
outward appearance of prosperity - as is a house and furniture. Is it
not the satisfaction of owning a car rather than the satisfaction derived
from its use that induces the low paid worker to buy a car? This same
question applies to such articles as Radiograms and very expensive furniture.
A large number of tenants buy Radiograms although they never
buy records and very seldom listen to any other radio station besides
Cape Town. A small radio set would suffi ce, yet it is the appearance of
the Radiogram which gives the satisfaction.” (CHL, SWR: 1950.)
The fear of people being unable to manage was not entirely unfounded.
There were many tangible issues that needed attention, such as malnutrition,
alcoholism, TB and illiteracy. These problems were tackled ef-
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