UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 July 1936, Page 10

UNEMPLOYED RELIEF

DEBATE IN CO ALMONS

f BRITISH OFFICIAL WIBELESS.J

RUGBY, July 21. An important three days’ debate in the House of Commons on the draft unemployment assistance regulations was opened by the Minister for Labour (.Mr. Ernest Brown), who moved for their approval. The draft rcguuations arc the second to bo issued under the 193-1 act, setting up a new administration of unemployment assistance for those who have exhausted their insurance benefit. The first draff regulaUons were partially suspended IS months ago after general criticism in all parts of the House of Commons. The new regulations .if approved, will come into effect on November 16. ,

Air. Brown claimed that the propostils formed a sound and just foundation! for a solution of the. gerat social problem involved. Defending the household means test, he said that if the re-, lief of unemployment was to be a ; charge on the national exchequer, it was only common justice to all whoj, paid taxes, including the ordinary , man in work, to see to it that proceeds. ( of their industry were not wantonlyj, needlessly frittered away. The Minis-; | ter drew tho House’s attention to provisions for more flexible applica-j lion of the rules regarding allowances!

for rent, and for the association oi local advisory committees with cases, of which discretionary adjustments ot payments were permitted. He taunted the Opposition with the failure of

the attempt, which he alleged on their part, to stir up an agitation in the country against the regulations. Air. Arthur Greenwood, moving an amendment for the Labour party condemning the regulations, voiced the party’s unalterable objection to the household means fest. The debate continues.