IN THE DOCK

Grey River Argus, 1 July 1925, Page 5

IN THE DOCK

BRITISH CAPITALISM Unemployment Evil NEGLECT TO FIND REMEDY. (Recoi.ved •lune 30 at 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, June 29. In the House of Commons, a Labourite motion of censure on the Government was moved by Air Ramsay MacDonald in connection with the alleged neglect of the Government to cope with tile growing unemployment in Britain. Mr Baldwin said that he had examined various causes conducing to tile increased unemployment, which, he said, was almost entirely in the coal, iron, and steel industries. MOVIES TO THE RESCUE! He thought that the time had come to examine tiie British film industry, villi a view to the exhibition of a larger proportion of British films, and, in view of the danger to which the Empire was subjected by allowing this form of propaganda to bo entirely' in foreign lauds, lie invited the House to consider whether, by a subsidy, it would be possible to stimulate the industries which at present seemed to be beaten down to a position of helplessness. Mr Baldwin indicated, in this connection, as possible avenues, the payment of bounties on the production or exports or subsidies in specially distressed districts in aid of rates, so as to take off the burdens of those, who manufactured there; or, the granting of subsidies, to bring down the goods rates on the railways. Such schemes, he said, could only be applied to efficient industries. He emphasised the importance of scientific research, which was being utilised on a great scale in the United States, in order to produce j a high quality of goods cheaply and efficiently. The Government was already helping twenty-four industries in research work. COAL RESEARCH WORK. in his speech on unemployment. Mi Baldwin mentioned that research work was proceeding in connection with low carbonisation coal, and the production . „f oil and smokeless fuel therefrom, file Government was considering a scheme for insuring debts, and was also prepared to give facilities for moderning and repairing works and plant.

SERIOUSNESS OP SITUATION. REALISED BY ALL. (Received June 30 at 9 p.m.) LONDON, June 30. The debate in the House of Commons showed that the seriousness of the unemployment . problem had impressed the mcnibers, though no party professed to offer an effective remedy. The tone of Mr MacDonnld/s speech was mainly accusatory. He faid that capitalism was in the dock, and the Government was beside it. Mr Baldwin read most of his speech from typewritten foolscap. He urged that ninety per cent, of tho employable population were working. It was essential that the country- should not. get “rattled.” He insisted that there were strict limits to what Parliament could do to help industry. Mr Philip Snowden made a hardhitting speech. He described Mr Baldwin’s remarks as “a string of platitudinous generalities.” The unemployed. he said, were “not going to be fed on copybook maxims.” Commercial men and industrialists were losing heart. During the month of June 3G5 representative securities had shrunk 48 million sterling on the Stock Exchange. An interesting speech was delivered by Mr F. E. Guest, an ex-Liberhl, who urged that a wide development of imperial preference was the only remedy for unemploymnt. “The Dominions,” he said, “can easily produce the 140 million pounds worth of food we now' buy from foreigners. We should create a free trade Empire, with a high tariff wall against the world. Rich, unpopulated areas in the Dominions would then be developed ,and an opening afforded for oui surplus population/’ Mr Lloyd George was chiefly concerned in defending the unemployment policy of the Coalition Government. Sir Alfred Mond urged land reclamation and Empire development. CLYDE MEN HEARD. The. debate closed amid a noisy scene. Clydesiders, headed by Mr Maxton, shouted down the Minister o Labour. Replying for the Government, Sir Arthur Steel Maitland argued that it was essential to expand their internal production. For this reason the Government were pressing migration , schemes.

MOTION REJECTED. LONDON, June 30. Tho House of Commons by -373 votes to 1 13, rejected the censure motion moved by the Labourties, blaming the Government for not taking steps to Co pe with the increase in unemployment.