BRITAIN’S WORKLESS

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 251, 18 September 1930, Page 7

BRITAIN’S WORKLESS

BIG INCREASE. OVER TWO MILLIONS. PROSPECT FOR COMING WINTER. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received September 18, 10.5 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 17. The unemployed in Britain on September 8 totalled 2,139,571 —an increase in one week of 79,127. The increase, which occurred mainly in the North of England, represents a further depression in the coal, metal, and textile industries. South-west England actually showed a decrease. During the sixteen months of the Labour Government the figures have increased approximately by a million. Some of the increase is due to the new Act —it lias been operating since March—which has made the receipt of benefit easier. The prospect for the coming winter is regarded as black. Mr John Bromley, the Labour M.P., prophesied at the recent Trade Union Congress that there would be 4,000,000 unemployed in Britain by February. The position of the unemployment 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. In the meantime the railway companies are cutting down their staffs as much as possible, owing to the heavy decline in traffic. The conversations between the Labour and Liberal representatives on the unemployment problem were resumed in London to-day. Mr Vernon Hartshorn, Lord Privy Seal, and Professor Lees-Smith, Postmaster-General, represented the Government, and the Marquess of Lothian, and Mr Seebohm Rountree the Liberals.