BLACK OUTLOOK

Hawera Star, Volume L, 18 September 1930, Page 5

BLACK OUTLOOK

UNEMPLOYMENT AT HOME

DEPRESSION IN INDUSTRIES

PARTIES confer

lluiu** Pr-w -B> nileoi.no Oopyrmtil. ) LONDON, Sept. 17. The unemployment on September 8 totalled ‘2,139,071, an increase, in the week of 79,127. The increase, which occurred mainly in the north of England, represents a, further depression m the coal, metal and textile industries. South-west England actually showed a decrease. During the 16 months of Lal>our Government the figures have increased by approximately 1,000.000. Some, ol the mcrea.se is due to the new Act operating since March which made the receipt of benefit easier. The prospect for the coming winter is regarded as black. A Labour member of the House of Commons, Air John Bromley, at a recent Trade Union Congress, prophesied that the unemployed in Britain would number 4,000,000 by February. , .. In the meantime the railway companies are reducing their staffs as much ais possible owing to the heavy decline in traffic.

The position of the fund is occupying the attention of the Government as the premiums are insufficient to carry the present benefits and the fund is nearly £60,000,000 in debt. Apparently there are only two courses open —either to. raise the premiums or reduce the benefits. Conversations between Labour aipl Liberal representatives on the problem were resumed at London to-day. The Rt. Hon. Vernon Hartshorn (Lord Privy Beal) and Professor H. B. LeesSmith (Postmaster-General) represented the Government.