NEW RELIEF SYSTEM

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 9

NEW RELIEF SYSTEM

Reply in Commons to Recent Criticism MEMBER’S ATTACK ON ROYAL FAMILY British Sllicial Wireless. (Received February 6, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, February 5. Criticisms of the manner in which the newly-instituted Unemployment Assistance Board lias operated were the subject of a statement, by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. Oliver Stanley, in the House of Commons to-day. He said that lie recognised that these criticisms, which were not confined to any one party, as to the manner the re. gelations were working out in practice were not without- some justification. Dissatisfaction and grievances were largely due to rigidity and other mistakes inherent in the inception of a new and gigantic scheme. Tlie board was considering the whole situation and had issued immediate instructions which would eliminate a temporary danger of individual hardships. It was dealing not with tangible difficulties of business and finance, but witli men and women, and it could not allow a chance of hardships continuing while the situation, was being examined. The statement was welcomed by all parties, a London cable states, though several Labourites warned the Government not to expect that the agitation would wholly cease and demanded the elimination of the basis of family assessments. •Mr. J. McGovern (Lab., Shettleston), in a fiery speech, violently attacked the Royal Family. He said that the King’s 25 years reign had, been a period of progress for many/ but had seen the gradual dragging down of the - great mass of the people. He demanded to know what these had to celebrate. He quoted the incomes of King George and the Duke of Kent, and said “These parasites are living on the wealth of this country.”

The Deputy-Speaker intervened and called Mr. McGovern to order.