UNEMPLOYMENT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 May 1928, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT

PROBLEM IN BRITAIN. DERELICT MINING TOWNS. EMIGRATION OF JUVENILES. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BV EIjECTKIC TELEGRAPH— COPYRIGHT.) (UNITED SERVICE.) LONDON, April 30. A reduction in the Ministry of Labour Estimates as a protest against the Government's callous disregard of the unemployed position, which was unparalleled in Britain's history, was moved in committee in the House of Commons to-day by the Labour member, Mr. Shinwell, who said the true state of affairs had not been disclosed. It was much worse than official statistics showed. The Government passed the Eight Hour Act iu the interests of increased coal production, he continued, and now the coal-owners ’/ere demanding restrictions on output. The industrial transference board found no work for single men. Though there were 50,000 unemployed in South W ales, it sent only 221 to the training centres. The Government had produced a new problem, that of derelict mining towns. Sir Robert Horne said that nobody had a remedy for unemployment. What was Labour’s remedy lor the importation of commodities, which was causing unemployment in Britain, he asked. He emphasised the opportunities for migrants to Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. R. C. Wallhead (Labour): “Let us all go there.” Sir Robert Horne: “If I were young enough I would be glad to lead you thither.”

Mr. A. Maclaren (Labour): “Why don’t you marry?” Sir Robert: “I have not your attractions or I might have done. The chairmanship of a matrimonial agency is not included in the functions of the Ministry or Labour.” Tne Ministry ought to pay particular attention to the emigration of juveniles, he continued. There were ~00,Ua) more people employed in Britain than before the war, but there were more peop.e than could ever find worK. It was Britain’s responsibility and bounden duty to find opportunities ov erseas, ana get rid of the tragic case of youths being unemployed from the moment ox leaving school. Mr. It. 8. Hudson (Conservative) said that Lund reds or men in his constituency (Whitehaven) had refused to go to training centres. Lord Cavendish-Bentinck (Conservatiie) said the Government's refusal to ratify the Washington eight hours’ convention had gravely injured the British workers.

Mr. J. H. Edwards said that if they approached the problem in a non-party spirit, as they'Had the Prayed Book, a solution could be found. They would have to consider pensioning the older order to give younger men a chance. Miss M. Bondheld (Labour) said Labour profoundly believed that capitalism had broken down because it could not secure for the people the certainty of a decent standard of" living. Unless the country tackled the problem by a great national co-opera-tive effort, it would sink down steadily. Mr. Betterton pointed out that the Government had placed 500,000 more men in industry than when Labour was in office. The motion for the reduction was defeated by 227 votes to 114. FINDING WORK. TASK OF TRANSFERENCE BOARD. (AUSTRALIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, April 30. In the House of Commons, Mr. H. B. Betterton, replying to a question, said that the Transference Board was reporting shortly. The "board was giving special attention to overseas settlement. The Government was co-operat-ing with the education authorities to prevent demoralisation of unemployed youths. Work would lie found for 92 per cent, of the youths from the training centres, of which there were now 100, with an average daily attendance of 6600. Mr. D. R. Grenfell. “One-tenth of the money needed to transfer the unemployed miners would reconstruct the coal trade and re-absorh the lot.”

Mr. R. C. Wallhead read a letter from experts stating that there were one hundred thousand unemployed in Australia, and it ivas cruel and criminal to send out men to the rigours of bush life which the native Australians would not face.