MEMBER FOR GREY LYNN’S IMPATIENT THREAT TO PARTY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7013, 12 September 1929, Page 6

MEMBER FOR GREY LYNN’S IMPATIENT THREAT TO PARTY

“Fill Walk Across” NO PROGRESS IN FINDING OF WORK UNITED MEMBER COMES UNTIED. From Our Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, Last Night.

A candid speech from Mr. J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn) which was cheerfully hailed by the Opposition members as a “revolution” in the United camp, was heard in tho House to-night, during tho discussion on the Unemployed Workers’ Bill, introduced by Mr. p, Fraser (Wellington Central), who moved its second reading.

It provides for an unemployment board to organise work and for sotting up insurance against unemployment. Mr. Fletcher supported a prompt measure for dealing with tho problem and criticised the apparent delay of the Government in absorbing all unemployed. He declared that practical men accustomed to handling large bodies of workers, could absorb all the , unemployed in a national roading scheme in a few weeks. He would appropriate all funds of tho Highways Board for the purpose. ‘ ‘ Unless the Government can deal with this problem now,” continued Mr. Fletcher, “it will not.have my support any longer.” Reform members: “Bo carefuL (Laughter.) Mr. Fletcher went on to refer to the Minister of Industries and Commerce, , urging the appointment of a select committee to explore all possibilities of developing secondary industries and encouraging the starving of others. The Minister’s reply had been that tho matter had received consideration, but the proposed survey was so wide and must cover so many existing and potential industries that a select committee could not cover the ground in tho time available. Therefore, added the Minister’s reply, which the speaker quoted, the Government would, during the recess, consider the holding of such an investigation. “I stand by my pledge to the electors of Grey Lynn that I was going to get things done,” ( continued Mr. Fletcher, “and if the Government is going to block the way and cannot tackle the job because it is too big and if the Minister’s reply to-night is not satisfactory, I will walk aeross the floor of the House to-night.” Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South): “Come over, brother! ” Mr. A. M. Samuel (Thames) congratulated Mr. Fletcher on his earnest pica on behalf of the unemployed. “It seems to me,” said Mr. Samuel, “he has been bordering on rebellion, but I admire h,im all the more on that account.” Mr. P. Fraser: “An honest statement.” Mr. Samuel: “Yes, and if all members would take that honest Btand, it would not be long before we would solve the problem of /unemployment.” Mr. Fraser: “Your party did not solve it.” ‘ j , _ . Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) said the Government would do well to heed the outpourings of the member for Grey Lynn, instead of putting off action from day to day. No ministerial explanations came, but Mr. Fletcher, just as the House was adjourning, asked if something could be done to refer the Bill to the Labour Bills Committee. Mr. Speaker pointed out that, he intended ruling the Bill out of order, as it involved an appropriation, though anything could bo done with the unanimous approval of the House. Hon. G. W. Forbes, acting leader m the absence of the Prime Minister, stated that the Government had no objection to referring the Bill to tho committee. Mr. Coates pointed out that it was quite open to the Government to introduce tho measure. It was ultimately decided unanimously to Tefer Mr. Fraser’s Bill to the Labour Bills Committee.