THURSDAY, JULY 3.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 156, 4 July 1913, Page 2

THURSDAY, JULY 3.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Council met at 2.30 p.m

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

Th© debate on the Address-in-Reply was resumed by ' , . The Hon. Mr SINCLAIR, who thanked the Government for the assistance given to the Imperial Trade Commission, and then proceeded to deal with the question of unemployment. He thought that they had arrived at a stage when they should take into consideration a measure of insurance against possible industrial depression. As a- means of dealing with casual labor he favored State settlements, organised labor agencies, free passes on the" railways to assist the unemployed to find work out,,of the centres, and the co-operation,,'of local bodies by timing public works so as to meet the requirements of the labor market. Advisory boards were also necessary to assist the authorities and workers* by systematic guidance. The scheme should be both voluntary and compulsory, the State also_providing a portion of the funds. Where trades unions were already paying unemployed benefits they should be let alone, but in no circumstances should the scheme be based on charity. The only true basis was industry, and all help given should be regarded as help only. The Hon. Mr LOUGHNAN censured the workers for imagining that the Arbitration Act would do everything for them. It was only designed to make the wheels of industry run more smoothly. It was not a panacea for all industrial evils. He hoped that the Government would bring in an amendment to check the right to strike, which had been abused by the labor leaders. He favored an Imperial co-operatives fleet, as against a colonial navy. He thought that the splendid credit of the country had been more responsible for the successful floatinjg of the recent loan than the influence of the Minister for Finance. The only remedy for the labor troubles was a better understanding between employer and employed. The Hon. Mr MILLS moved the adjournment of the debate till 2.30 tomorrow.