HOMELAND POLITICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 December 1929, Page 5

HOMELAND POLITICS

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE. (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, December 12. The House of Commons is on the report stage of the Unemployment Insurance Bill. The House, by 290 votes to 150, read the second time the Government’s new “genuinely seeking work” clause. The new clause reads as follows: —“An insured contributor shall be disqualified from receiving the benefit where it is proved that he has been offered suitable employment and has refused at.” The Attorney General (Sir W. Jowitt) pointed out that this formula placed the onus of the proof upon the Employment Exchange. He admitted that the cost of the Exchequer would be a considerable amount, but it only meant taking money out of one pocket instead of another, as the money would otherwise have to be found by the Poor Law Guardians. J'EST FOR MOTORISTS. LONDON, December 13. The House of Lords is on the Committee stage )of the Traffic Bill. Lord Cecil moved an amendment that applicants for driving licenses must satisfy the licensing authorities that they are competent to drive and have a knowledge of the rule of the road. During the subsequent discussion, many peers stressed the fact that the skilled driver who passes the test with flying colours is often the most dangerous, because he or she takes greater risks. Lord Howe favoured a voluntary test, because in the event of Court proceedings a voluntary test would have an effect on the proceedings. Lord Cecil’s amendment was negatived by 57 votes to 30. CONSERVATIVE FUNDS. LONDON, December 13. The “Daily Mail” discloses that the defendant in a pending political law action is J. C. C. Davidson, Chairman of the Conservative Party. The plaintiff in the action claims the return of a large sum, running into tens of thousands of pounds, which plaintiff alleges were handed over to the Conservative Party funds. The writ was issued some time ago. The news of the action was kept a.profound secret. The defendant is resisting the claim. The case is unlikely to come before the open court for several months.