DOLE DEMAND

Northern Advocate, 9 July 1925, Page 5

DOLE DEMAND

RIDICULOUS AMENDMENT PASSED BY RAILWAYMEN. "WHY WORK AT ALL?" (Received 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, July 7. The conference of the National Union of "Railwaymen at Southport passed a resolution charging the Government with failing tb deal - "with the j problem of unemployment. An amendment was moved ~demanding an in- i crease of the benefit to 80/- for a man, I 15/- for a wife and. 10/- for each j child. j Mr J. H. Thomas opposed the amendment as ridiculous; If these amounts j could be paid what need was there i for anyone to work at all? Were the majority or railwaymen to Teceive less for working than the unemployed; The problem of unemployment could only be solved internationally, but it was absurd that there was so much unemployment when millions could be spent immediately on developing the Empire. Whatever might be said of Russian methods, he would fight to the death against their introduction into Britain. The amendment was defeated by 48 votes to 18.—A. and N.Z. UTTERMOST PENNY. PENSIONS CONTRIBUTIONS OPPOSED. (•Received 12.30 ajm.) LONDON, July 8. The annual conference of the National Union of Railwaymen unanimously condemned the Government's new' Pensions Bill; demanding a non- ! contributory scheme. j f iVlr jr.'H?. .Tlioraa-3 said that the effect ■ of' contributions would be to increase unemployment. Both employers and wqrkers were absolutely incapable of standing another penny in contribu- ■ tion^s —-Reuter.