Insurance Bill Before the Commons

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 February 1931, Page 3

Insurance Bill Before the Commons

UNEMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN. LONDON, ±>b. 18. In the House of Commons to-day, the Unemployment Insurance Bill was read a second time by 279 votes to 218. Mr Winston Churchill covered the whole range of unemployment, despite Labour cries that he should keep to the subject under discussion. Mr Churchill declared that the Government could truly and honestly proclaim that it had by every device and dodge managed to continue paying for the longest time and in the largest number. He attacked Mr Lloyd George’s scheme, which he declared had been rejected and spat upon by every expert and every responsible Minister, Dealing with Mr Lloyd George’s recent speech in connection with -fin* ancC', Mr Churchill declared that as a result of it a loss of between £70,000,000 and £80,000,000 would be inflicted on British funds at a time when delicate handling was essential. He pointed to the effect of such a speech in Australia, where a tremendous struggle was going forward, in-which the whole of the people were involved, for sound, honest methods of finance. The context of such speeches and the atmosphere in winch they were delivered was not understood abroad. Turning to the causes of the great economic collapse, he said that it could bo described in one word —“Asia.” “China,” added Mr Churchill, “is in a state of anarchy, India in seething with unrest, while Russia constitutes an economic factor stranger and more menacing than anything we have witnessed. Nevertheless the resources, strength, energy and comradeship in these islands is unsurpassed, perhaps unequalled, in the w’orld. “Much will have to be endured, but wo have ridden through many a gale. We must reach out our hands in special co-operation with our kin throughout the world. “When the economic revival of the Western world comes, as it surely will despite Asia, we will be borne forward to the forefront.” LLOYD GEORGE REPLIES. Received Thursday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 19. Mr. Lloyd George, answering tho charge that his city speech had resulted in a fall of securities, reminded Mr, Churchill that not even the joint efforts of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and himself had reduced the securities as low as they were whe» Mr. Churchill was in office. They werp higher even now than when he left oflice and he wondered why Mr. Churchill had made a speech which was entirely irrevelant to the Bill with th* exception of a few phrases tacked bv the end to give an air statemanship. It was an excellent comic turn. Mr. Jack Jones, in combatting tho Opposition statements that there was no money in the country, referred to the speedy success of the Indian loan* If the devil himself would float a loan and guarantee live per cent, on the flames of hell, the money would bo raised. (Roars of laughter.) A division was then taken.