MORE WORK AT HOME

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10066, 12 March 1924, Page 5

MORE WORK AT HOME

CABINET’S HARD PROBLEM.

REFORMS TAKE TIME. NOT BRED LIKE RABBITS. (Per Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, March 11. “Sterling receded to 4.26 - in New York because the Government regard unemployment as much a national responsibility as the payment of interest on the War loan,” was one of Mr T. Shaw’s (Minister of Labour) retorts in the House of Commons to jibes thrown at the Government by Liberals and Conservatives for failure to carry out election promises regarding unemployment; Mr T. J. Macnamara (Liberal) contended that the Government measures lacked an adequate grasp of the situation.

Mr Baldwin predicted still fiercer Franco-Belgian competition in the iron and steel trade, owing to the fall of the franc.

Mr Shaw, replying, said: “After only six weeks the Government cannot produce schemes like rabbits from hutches.” He emphasised the inten-* tion to explore every avenue to provide useful work, and referred to the acceleration of the work of Government Departments costing nearly £3,000,000. He hoped to investigate afforestation.

PENNY POSTAGE AIDS PRINTERS.

LONDON, March 11.

The Postmaster-General, replying to a deputation from the printing trades, stated that the restoration of penny postage was the most practicable solution of unemployment in the printing trades. He would endeavour to induce the Chancellor of the Exchequer to agree to the financial sacrifices involved therein.

SEEKING THE CAUSE, BRITISH PRICES TOO HIGH. (Received March 12, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 11. The “ Daily Mail,” in a leader, says it is painfully clear the Goverment has no specific for the grave disease of unemployment. It has nothing to suggest but larger doles for all, resulting in further demands upon the taxpayer and the manufacturer. It draws attention to the price of exports, which have increased by 89 cent, above the prewar quantity whereas the imports have increased only 53 per cent. “ Our productions are dear productions,” says the journal. “ That is probably the fundamental cause of unemployment, to which is added the monstrous taxes, the enormous rates, the constant strikes, and the low output. The importation of many kinds of British goods is forbidden by Germany. Yet no British Government has lifted a finger to stop such an intolerable abuse.”