LIVELY SESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 256, 29 October 1929, Page 7

LIVELY SESSION.

LABOUR ON TRIAL.

Unemployment Mac Donald's

Greatest Problem.

MANY VITAL ISSUES.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received I.SO p.m.)

LONDON, October 28.

The House of Commons will resume its sittings to-morrow. Experienced Parliamentarians express the opinion that the Labour Government's programme is already much overloaded, especially in view of the fact that as a minority Government it is bound to meet with some difficulties from which a Government with an assured majority is free.

The rising tide of unemployment is the worst danger. This and the question of a reduction of working hours in the coalmining industry without a diminution in wages are certain to raise highly debatable issues. The Conservatives will keep the unemployment issue in the foreground and as there is little chance of a marked improvement in the next few months the members of the Cabinet will be forced to defend themselves with the plea: "We must have more time." Apart from the coalmining legislation other important bills foreshadowed are those providing for slum clearance, drainage schemes, ratification of the Washington Eight Hours Convention, amendments of the Trades Union Disputes Act and Trades Unions Act, an amendment of the Contributory Pensions Act in favour of widows, and the regulation of traffic. Mr. Thomas the Target. The newspapers generally predict that the session will be one of the most lively in the history of Parliament. Mr. J. H. Thomas, Lord Privy Seal, and Minister in Charge of Unemployment, is one who will be principally in the limelight. The Parliamentary correspondent of the "Times" says it is significant that the first seven questions on the Order Paper are addressed to him. These concern chiefly unemployment and migration. Mr. J. H. Thomas, who at the commencement of the Labour regime was regarded as one of the big men in the administration, has been the subject of consistent Press criticism. He will face a veritable bombardment of questions at the opening of the House of Commons to-morrow. Mr. Harry Day (Lab., Southwark), with a view to offering an opportunity for a full dress debate on the Government's unemployment plans, will fire the first shot by asking for the estimated number of employment schemes sanctioned by Mr. Thomas' Department in the recess.

Mr. Thomas will reserve his full statement for his speech in the debate. Throughout the first days of the session Mr. Thomas is likely to be much in evidence for, despite the success of Mr. Mac Donald's foreign policy, it seems definite that the Government will be judged on its unemployment policy.

The "Daily Sketch" says Mr. Lloyd George, Leader of the Liberals, is impatiently awaiting Mr. Thomas' statements. If the unemployment problem is not dealt with successfully he is prepared immediately to throw the Labour Government out.

The "Daily Mail" predicts bitter criticism from the Opposition in regard Egypt, Iraq, India and Anglo-Soviet relations. But, it say's, the Conservatives and Liberals both have internal disputes and are not likely seriously to challenge the Government, whose chief danger is from its own "back-benchers" who regard its policy as too "pink."