"GET THINGS DONE."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 216, 12 September 1929, Page 13

"GET THINGS DONE."

UNEMPLOYED WORKERS BILL

MB. FLETCHER IMPATIENT.

THREAT TO HIS LEADERS

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

Candid speech from Mr. Fletcher (Grey Lynn), which was cheerfully hailed by Opposition members as revolution in the United camp, was heard in the House tonight during discussion on the Unemployed Workers Bill introduced by Mr. Eraser (Wellington Central), who moved its second reading. It provides for an unemployment board to organise work, and for setting up insurance against unemployment. Mr. Fletcher supported prompt measures for dealing with the problem, and criticised the apparent delay of the Government in absorbing all the unemployed. He declared that practical men accustomed to handling large bodies of workers could absorb all the unemployed in a national roading scheme in a few weeks. He would appropriate all the funds of the Highways Board for the purpose. "L T nless the Government can deal with this problem now," continued Mr. Fletcher, "they will not have my support any longer." Reform Members: Be careful. (Laugh -

Mr. Fletcher went on to refer to a question he had put to the Minister of Industries and Commerce urging the appointment of a select committee to explore all possibilities of developing secondary industries and encouraging the Starting "of others. The Minister's reply had been that the matter had received consideration, but the proposed sur\ey was so wide, and must cover so many existing and potential industries, that a select "committee could not cover the around in the time available. Theie fore," added the Minister's reply, which the speaker quoted, "the Government would, during the recess, consider the holdincr of such an investigation. "I stand by my pledge to the electors of Grey Lynn that I was going to get things done," continued Mr. Fletcher, "ancl if the Government is going to block the way and cannot tackle the job because it is too big. and if the Minister's reply to-night is not satisfactoiy, I I will walk across the floor of the House to-night." Mr. Howard (Christchurch South): Come over, brother. V Mr. Samuel (Thames) congratulated Mr. Fletcher on his earnest plea on behalf of the unemployed. "It seems to me," said Mr. Samuel, "he has been bordering 011 rebellion; but I admiie him all the more on that account." Mr. Fraser (Wellington Central): An honest statement. Mr. Samuel: Yes, ancl if all members on the Government benches would take that honest stand it would not be long before we solved the problem of unemployment. Mr. Fraser: Your party did not solve it. Mr. Parry (Auckland Central) said the Government would do well to heed the outpourings of the member for Grey Lynn instead of putting off action from day to day. The Ministerial explanations came, but Mr. Fletcher, just as the House was adjourning, asked if something would be clone to refer the bill to the Labour Bills Committee. Mr. Speaker pointed out that he intended ruling the bill out of order. It involved appropriation, though anything could be done with unanimous approval of the House. The Hon. G. W. Forbes, Acting-Leader, in the absence of the Prime Minister, stated that the Government had no objection to referring the bill to the committee. The Right Hon. J. G. Coates pointed out that it was quite open to the Government to introduce the measure. It "was ultimately decided unanimously to refer Mr. Fraser's bill to the Labour Bills Committee.