UNEMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 152, 21 March 1924, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS

“NOT OFFERED A SINGLE NEW

THOUGHT OR IDEA”

By Telegraph—Press Association. -Copyright.

During a discussion on the unemployment problem m the House of Lords the 'complaint was made that the Government had not offered a single new thought or idea regarding the question. The Bishop of Lichfield pointed out that of six million boys and girls who had left school since the war only a quarter had been absorbed in industry. Lord Parmoor said the Government was formulating a Bill setting out its policy for the reduction of unemployment.

(Rec. March 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 19. In the House of Lords the Bishop of Lichfield, in seeking a statement, about the Government’s efforts to reduce unemployment/, pointed out that out of the six million boys and girls who had left school since the war, only a quarter had been absorbed in industry. This was laying up a fatal heritage for abe future. . Viscount St. Davids complained that the Government had not offered a single new thought or idea dealing with unemployment. He suggested as a palliative that the Government should order ships in partnership with shipbuilders. If the .‘.hip realised a profit, the shipbuilders should take three-quarters of it; if thvre was a less, it should be shared equally. Though already many ships had been laid up, a great number of them could be scrapped. Of all the war-time profit-makers the shipowners were the greatest. Viscount St. Davids said i! their prjsperity was deferred for a few months owing to the Government building, the shipowners’ wails would not arouse much sympathy; The only real remedy for unemployment was large scale emigration. If Britain assisted in providing works in the Dominions she might lose a little. It would be cheaper than doles. —Lord Tarmoor, replying, claimed that the prospect of a European settlement was better than ever since the war. It was very unlikely that any British Government would .agree to finance directly public works in the Dominions in order to increase emigration. The Government was willing to do everything possible to speed up overseas settlement, which was limited by the Dominions’ power of absorption. The. Government was formulating a Bill setting out the policy for the reduction of unemployment.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS I TO BE SUBMITTED TO .HOUSE OF COMMONS London, March 19. In the House of Commons, asked whether he intended to present the resolutions of the Imperial and Economic Conferences before the Budget, or to incorporate them with the Budget so that they could be discussed, Mr. MacDonald replied that it would be improper to introduce resolutions dealing with the Budget before the Budget, and it would bo useless to introduce them after the Budget. Therefore, the Government, was carefully considering every single resolution, and as soon as he had decided in regard to all the resolutions he would communicate with the leaders of the other parties and see if they agreed. Every resolution would have the opportunity of being submitted to the House in some form. —Reuter.

BURNEY AIRSHIP SCHEME UNDER EXAMINATION STILL (Rec. March 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 19. In the House of Commons, in answer to questions, Mr. MacDonald said the statements in the Press that the Government had definitely abandoned the Burney airship scheme were base-

less. The scheme was at present being thoroughly examined. Asked H he would expedite the decision of the committee Mr. MacDonald replied that the Government refused the responsibility of schemes of such enormous magnitude without a thoroughly sound examination of tho details. Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. WARTIME RESTRICTION SALE OF ICE-CREAMS AND MINERAL WATERS London, March 19. One of the surviving wartime restrictions, the continuance of which is greatly resented by the public, is the prohibition of the sale of ice creams and mineral waters after 9.30 in the evening. A .private member s Bill has been introduced into the House of Commons with a view to permitting tho sale of such commodities till midnight every day in the week. Aus.N?Z. Cable Assn. VOTE FOR EMPIRE EXHIBITION UNIQUE PAGEANT BEING ARRANGED (Bee. March 20, 9.30 p.m.) London, March 19. In the House of .Commons, in moving the estimate of £llB,OOO expenditure on the Empire Exhibition. Mr. W. Lunn stated that it had been definitely decided that the Ring would open the exhibition on St. George’s Day, April 23. With a view to capturing the imagination of visitors, the Govern ment was embarking on a novel scheme by organising a unique pageant by British artists, and had secured Mr. Louis Parker, and Sir F. Henson. Mr. H. G. Granville-Barker and Mr. Rudyard Kipling would be responsible for most of the libretto, and Sir_ Edward Elgar would compose the music. After debate, including some severe criticism by Mr. B. Tillett, the House agreed to the vote. —Reuter.

THE ABBEY BY-ELECTION ' VERY HEAVY POLL (Rec. March 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 19. The polling at the Abbey by-election the votes in which will be counted on Thursday excelled any by-election in Mid-London in living memory. The •Strand, Regent Street and Parliament Street were crowded with motor-cars decked with the ribbons of the four parties, -who made immense efforts to poll every available vote. Mr. Churchill alone had 265 cars. Ono of his supporters, came from Cannes, and another from Italy. Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Henderson and his two sons, Mr. Snowden and Miss Margaret Bond field were among the voters. Mr. Churchill twice toured the constituency at the head of a motor procession, every car sounding its siren continually, Partisans with megaphones crying “Winston will win.” The supporters of Mr. Nicholson, tho Conservative candidate, anticipate n two thousand majority. Labour says it might slip in owing to the Conservative split, but will be satisfied if it can keep Mr. Churchill out. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.