BRITISH POLITICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 2 December 1922, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE

(By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. i

LONDON, Nov. 30,

Vyiien the Address-in-Reply to the debalk was resumed in the House of Commons, Mr dynes moved a Labour amendment lie adversely criticised the Premier’s refusal to meet the unemployed marchers. He urged the necessity for developing foreign trade together with adequate schemes, of public works. Mr Barlow said that notwithstanding the approach of winter he believed the unemployment curve was slowly and steadily improving. Over £109,000,000 had been paid out under the Unemployment Insurance Act, of which £79,000,000 were contributed by employers and £38,000,000 by workers. This exploded the fictition that benefit payments were a dole coming entirely from the taxpayers’ pockets. He hoped a great new arterial road from Manchester to Liverpool would be jrut in hand shortly, it is estimated to cost £3,000,000, providing work for 20,000 men. Such labour could be absorbed in other roads throughput the country. Afforestation schemes would employ 2000, and arrears of maintenance repair work 3500. The Government proposed to renew the Trade Facilities Act for 12 months, increasing the maximum capital in respect whereof guarantees would be made for £50,000,000. It was proposed to continue the present arrangements protecting boards of guardians finances. Schemes for the development of electric power were estimated to cost £10,000,000.

LONDON, Dec. 1. Continuing the Addrcss-in-Reply debate, Mr Snowden urged recognition of the Soviet in order lo compel the ' t■ter to throw away the last shreds of Bolshevism and Communism and bring about renewed trade. labour did not favour unemployment insurance; if work was unobtainable the nation should maintain workers on a sea'e sufficient to prevent 'physical deterioration. In regard to land reform, the State should devote itself Lo intensive production, while the principle of eo operation should be extensively applied- The aUMfltion of reparations should be handed to the League of Nations. Mr Page-Croft is urging tne Premier to boldly ask the Empire Prime Ministers to give, the Motherland vast tracts of country u; each ticmiaion for development by settlers. LONDON, Nov.. 30 Signor Mussolini arrives in London on Monday. Replying to a ,question in the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law said he hoped it might be convenient to hold an Imperial Conference next year. No invitations had yet been issued, but- one would be extended to the Irish Free State.

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

STARTLING SUGGESTION

LONDON, Dec. 1

Mr Hastings, in. bis maiden speech, declared that the real remedy for unemployment would be ..found in a capital levy; on which Sir A. Mond later poured ridicule. ' He made a startling suggestion that employers be induced to engage workless men" -as a surplus in normal establishments by permitting a deduction of the amount of the unemployment dole from the trade union rate of wages, the Government making up the deduction ly continuing the dole to all workers so employed. Labourites derided the proposal, but Sir A. Mond raised general cheers later by an appeal fora liundvcd millions for Empire development,- declaring that they must not look to Europe for trade recovery but to the dominions, where two-thirds of the British trade was done before the war.

MR CHAMBERLAIN ENTERTAINED

LONDON. Dee. 'l. The Coalition Peers and Commoners gave a dinner to Mr Chamberlain at the House of Commons. l<ord Birkenhead, presiding, read a striking tribute •from Lord Balfour. Responding to the toast Mr Chamberlain said; _ I think the/election restores all sections of (ho old Coalition to their pci foot freedom of action. Mr Lloyd George had satisfied the obligations of comradeship and honour to us _ and so have we to him. Having fully discharged those we have now freedom of elioici) regarding our future attitude in public affairs.”