BRITAIN’S UNEMPLOYED

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 125, 19 February 1921, Page 7

BRITAIN’S UNEMPLOYED

A GRAVE SITUATION DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS ATMOSPHERE OF GOOD WILL NECESSARY (By T*legraph-Pre«» Aesociation-Oopyrlghi London, February 16. In the House of Commons Mr. J. R. Clynes (Leader of the Labour Party), in moving the amendment to the Address-in-Reply, said that the gravity of tho Labour situation was staggering. Unemployment was worse than in December, and Parliament was faced with the declaration that terrible as it was nothing could be done by legislation to make it better. This was a most callous cancellation* of solemn .public pledges. The Labour Party’s demand was for work or. for adequate maintenance. The hint that there was to be some extension of national insurance was insufficient. The situation was so serious that it could not lie dealt with properly by means of insurance alone. Mr. Clynes declared that the Labour was in favour of refusing doles to eithci* men or wobien who refused to do appropriate work when it was provided. The party did not support shirkers. In view, of the failure of tho employers to find remunerative and productive work it was the duty of the Government to do so. Government’s Relief Schemes.

Dr. T. J. Mac.namara (Minister of Labour) said that, although it was necessary to alleviate the. hardship' arising from unemployment, ihe Government also had a. far-reaching duty to reestablish British industry, and thus bring about, permanent prosperity. The Government’s policy had been to see that relief work was useful and productive. A scheme costing 101 millions in connection with roads was now giving employment to 35,<XXl extra, men. The Ministry of Health’s schemes for laying out building sites, at a cost of five millions, was employing others. Altogether, productive schemes were finding employment for 70,600. Referring to the amendment to the Unemployment Act, he said that the contribution -woold be raised from 10d. to Is. IJd., employer and employed paying an extra penny each to the State balance. The unemployment benefit per man would bo increased from 15s. io 18s.; women will receive 155., boys 9s. Bd., girls 7s. 6d. Exservice men will continue to receive 20s. Losses Due to Strikes.

The later speakers were largely from the Labour side. * Mr. G. N. Barnes, in a solid speech from the cross-benches, Criticised Mr. Clynes’s reference to Russia, saying that Labour was hugging a delusion if it thought that anything could be got out of the resumption of trade with Russia. He asked Mr. Uiynes to ho more explicit regarding the workers’ right to adequate maintenance! It was essential not to lessen the incentive -to work. Something might be done by the State making advances to employers who would be willing to keep on their workmen if they were assisted over the temporary difficulty. During 1920 27 million days’ labour was lost owing to strikes. Most of the troubles was duo to the workers’ mistrust. Resumption of Foreign Trade. Mr. V. Hartshorn (Labour) drew attention to the growing unemployment in tho mining industry. He urged that when the Government was ai ranging tho reparations agreement with Germany it should remember ’the way the workers had been affected. Mr. G. H. Roberts (Labour) said: “Wo will never get unemployment within manageable limits until we resume trade with foreign markets, and this is impossible until the employers and the workmen get together in au atmosphere of good will.” Provision for Ex-Service Men. Dr. Maenamara said the unemployed ex-service men received ,£! per week. The refusal of the building trade unions to absorb fifty thousand was costing the country .£50,090 weekly. The debate was adjourned. (Rec. February 18, 11.35 p.m.) London, February 17. Sir Donald M‘l.ean resumed the debate on unemployment. Tie said the unemployed must be maintainor!, not merely maintained at the merest margin of existence. The Government’s increase of unemployment benefit was not enough. ‘The country could pay a. bigger amount by reducing the expenditure in Mesopotamia, Persia, and elsewhere. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INSURANCE SCHEME INADEQUATE STEPS TO RESTORE INTERNATIONAL TRADE URGED. IRcc. February 19, 1.10 a.m.) London,. February 18. The Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress and the Labour Party Executive have passed a resolution affirming that the Government’s policy of extending unemployment insurance is lamentably inadequate, and urged that comprehensive steps lie taken to restore international trade and organise national schemes fcr work, with adequate maintenance for these unable to obtain employment.- —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.