HOMELAND UNEMPLOYMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1933, Page 2

HOMELAND UNEMPLOYMENT

DEBATE IN COMMONS

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, February 16

In moving a Labour Party censure motion on the Government for its handling of the unemployment problem, Mr Geo. Lansbury, in the House of Commons, criticised the tariff policy of the Government, and its refusal to embark on wide utility schemes for absorbing the unemployed . In reply, Mr Neville Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer) argued that while much so-called utility expenditure was extravagant, developments were being made. He recalled the course of events since 1930, when, he said, confidence had been badly shaken. That confidence had been largely restored, so that they were today embarrassed by a sort of “flight to the pound.” There had been a return of confidence, due to their cessation of borrowing to balance the budget, and to active steps to protect their trade balance and stimulate industry. The Ottawa Conference had restored confidence, and the loan conversion operations had cheapened money. They must, if possible, raise the gold prices, and, -in any case, they must raise sterling prices.. The success of voluntary meat regulation arrangements, which were made at the Ottawa Conference, encouraged them to think that these regulation arrangements might be extended to other commodities. Cheap money and international co-operation would help toward easy credits. Low preferential rates were an essential precedent to a trade recovery. . . Continuing, Mr Chamberlain said the Government concluded that expenditure on public works as a remedy for unemployment had failed lamentably. Between April, 1924, and September, 1931, seven hundred millions had been spent thereon, and it only touched the fringe of the problem Nevertheless, the Government would not deter the municipalities from obtaining loans for usual public works. The Chancellor claimed that the Government’s financial policy for the past year hdd restored confidence. “Instead of Britain having to boirow foreign money, as in September, IJoi, he said, “there will be a drive on the pound, which, without the exchange equalisation fund, might lead to fluctuation in sterling, causing great embarrassment to traders. The Import Duties Act enabled us to regain control of our home market. He was disappointed and surprised that America had not agreed to the postponement of the December debt payment, but he saw no reason to despair. “We are making progress with other nations on the subjects to be discussed at the World Conference, he said. “The Government’s steps are justified by the fact that other countries are suffering worse than Biitain, whose exports in 1932 were slightly better than in 1931, while the German, American and French exports all dropped. Panicky, hysterical changes in policy would not restoie trade.”

MR MacDONALD’S CLAIM.

Mr Chamberlain alluding to maladjustments which had resulted in world-wide unemployment, questioned whether these could be conquered so rapidly and so completely that any reduction of unemployment to comparatively small figures could be anticipated “within, shall I say, ten years.” Mr Churchill deplored the hopeless prospect offered by Mr Chamberlain. It was that of simply allowing world events to take their course. Sir H. Samuel said that the fact of other countries having worse fortunes was no consolation to us. The Government must overcome its inertia, and must attempt at least a partial alleviation of the unemployment, even though this was admittedly largely due to international causes. The Minister of Labour, Sir Henry Betterton, said that he intended to discuss with employers’ organisations and the Trades Union General Council methods whereby more workers could be absorbed by industry. Mr R. MacDonald, summing up criticised Mr Lloyd George’s speech as reminiscent of his endeavours to be an international negotiator. He had wandered along until there came a series of notes which seemed to be from a ten-year-old speech. Referring to the suggestions that relief works should be provided for the unemployed, Mr MacDonald pointed out that if 3,000,000 people were put to work which was unproductive and unnecessary, it means that they would be living" on incomes that were created by the mass of their fellow workers. As soon as the House told the unemployed that they were prepared to spend capital uneconomically upon them, they would be deluding them. The Government’s policy included a restoration of national international trade. In concluding,' Mr MacDonald begged the House to renew confidence in the Government. The speeches of the Opposition had been full of mis-repre-sentations and misunderstandings. The work done last year was a magnificent achievement. He said, Pitt in the year 1805 had claimed that England saved herself by her exertions, and he had trusted that she would save Europe by her example. He (Mr MacDonald) believed that the Government would win the same high praise from this generation.

NEED FOR ACTION

(Rec. February 18, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 17

The “Sun” says: The papers agree that the gravity of the unemployment situation is seriously embarrassing the Government. Mr. Chamberlain’s pronouncement that the outlook was black for a decade distressed the House. There is growing discontent with Mr. MacDonald’s impotence. The “Guardian” expressed a widespread opinion when it says that the Commons silently listened to Sir H. Samuel’s warning that not only the. Liberals, but the whole nation would go into Opposition. The Guardian adds: The Commons would have jeered at this statement, three months ago.

POSITION IN GREYMOUTH.

NEED FOR HELP

Last, evening, the Committee administering the Mayor’s Unemployment Fund, met, Messrs J. W. Greenshvde (Mayor), A. A. Adams, and A. J. Fairmaid being present. 1 Various cases were dealt with, but the relief granted was small, due- to

the depleted funds, and only cases of great urgency were assisted. West Coast Amusements, Ltd., forwarded the sum of £2O as a. further donation to the Fund. It -was reported that a shed adjacent to the Town Hall, and formerly used as a machine room, was being completely renovated, and equipped to hold stores for distribution to the unemployed. A pound scheme has been commenced, and posters' have been displayed in the various business houses. It is hoped that any person who can, will assist, by purchasing a small amount of goods to lie devoted to the Fund. These goos will be left at the place of purchase, and called for by the organiser, Mr A. Smith. Collections to date, have been only fairly successful, but the Committee is hoping that with the depot in full operation, the scope can be extended and prove a determining factor in alleviating distress. Next week will be the “short week, the single men receiving 9/-, threeday men 12/- and four-day men £l/2/6, so that distress will occur unless the Committee can fill the bleach by a generous public response to the pound scheme, or in some othei way. ' “We would like to make a special appeal to all who can offer some small amount, in some shape or form, for the coming week,” said the Mayor, when interviewed to-day. « “There was a statement made that at the first distribution of goods to the unemployed, two men endeavoured to sell their share in an hotel,” said Mr Greenslade. “This was treated by the Committee as a serious matter, and an investigation was made. We now feel that the charge cannot be sustained. If it could be proven, the Committee would not hesitate to go to the full length of the law, in regard to it. The Committee will not tolerate the sale of any goods handed out,” he added.

REMIT TO LOCAL BODIES. The Greymouth Borough Council has forwarded, to 120 Borough Councils in New Zealand, the following circular:—

“My Council has forwarded the following remit to the Municipal Association with a request that it be placed on the supplementary order paper for the Municipal Conference which is to be held on March 2 and 3 next, at Rotorua:

“That the Unemployment Board be requested to issue, at least quarterly, to every local authority, a statement showing in detail: (a) The financial position of the Board, (b) The amount available for distribution, (c) The amount distributed, (d) Where and how distributed, (e) The balance, if any, in hand, (f) Estimated amount collectible during the balance of the financial year, and (g) such other information as is necessary to keep local authorities fully informed as to the Unemployment Fund.” “The reason prompting this remit, is the general dissatisfaction caused by the diffifficulty of eliciting information from the Unemployment Board. My Council considers that by obtaining and publishing the suggested statement, much would be done towards removing the dissatisfaction now existing. and would create greater confidence in the Board generally. The local authorities would then be in a better position to learn if their respective districts were receiving their quota of the fund, proportionate to the distress existing therein, and to see that any irregularities in distribution are rectified, or, as the case may be, to satisfy the unemployed that they are receiving their fair share of the relief funds. “My Council believes your Council will agree that local authorities have not been sufficiently enlightened as to the working of the Board, and that the time for the furnishing of definite information is overdue. The Council requests your Council to consider this remit as early as possible and to be good enough to advise me of the decision arrived at (Signed) F. H. Denton, Town Clerk.”