DEPRESSION IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 20592, 18 September 1930, Page 11

DEPRESSION IN BRITAIN

UNEMPLOYMENT GROWING WINTER OUTLOOK GLOOMY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 16. The unemployed on September 8 totalled 2,139.571, an increase in a week of 79,127. The increase, which occurred mainly in the north of England, represents further depression in the coal, metal, and textile industries. The south-west of England actually showed a decrease. During the sixteen months of the Labour Government the figures have increased by approximately 1,000,000, and some of the increase is due to the new Act, which has been operating since March, “which makes the receipt of benefit easier. The prospect for the coming winter is regarded as black. A member of the House of Commons, Mr John Bromley, at the recent Trade Union Congress prophesied that the unemployed in Britain would be 4,000,000 by February. The position of the fund-is occupying the attention of the Government, as the premiums are insufficient to carry the present benefits, and the fund is nearly £60,000,000 in debt. Apparently there are only two courses open—either to raise the premiums or reduce the benefits. In the meantime the railway companies are cutting down their staffs as much as possible owing to the heavy decline in traffic. LABOUR-LIBERAL DISCUSSIONS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 16. (Received September 18, at 1 a.m.) The conversations between Labour and Liberal representatives bn the unemployment problem were resumed in London to-day. Mr Vernon Hartshorn (Lord Privy Seal) and Professor Lees Smith (Postmaster-General) represented the Government, and the Marquess of Lothian and Mr Secbohm Rountree the Liberals. [Mr Secbohm Rowntreo is chairman of Rowntree and Co., Ltd. The Marquess of Lothian, who recently succeeded to the title, is better known as Mr Philip Kerr. He was editor of the ‘ Round Table ’ from 1910 to 1916, and secretary to Mr Lloyd George when the latter was Prime Minister.] THE HOUSING PROPOSALS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. September 17. (Received September 18, at 11 a.m.) For the purpose of examining the proposals in regard to housing, being a section of the general plans for dealing with the unemployment programme, Mr Hartshorn and Mr A. Greenwood (Minister of Health), accompanied by Government experts, mot tho Liberal Leader (Mr Lloyd George) at tho Treasury to-daj r . The Prime Minister and Mr Lloyd George will meet to-morrow to continue the conference on unemployment questions.