CONFIDENT SPEECH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 18 February 1935, Page 5

CONFIDENT SPEECH

UNEMPLOYMENT POSITION DEBATE IN THE COMMONS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 15th February. The House of Commons debate on unemployment concluded by a vigorous confident speech from the Rt. Hon. Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who declared that no reason existed why the coming months should not see a very considerable reduction in the present numbers of unemployed. Last month’s rise, he pointed out, was the product of normal seasonal causes, and was likely to be absorbed again before long. Meanwhile there were 700,000 more neople at work than there were three years ago. Although the employable population had increased by one million since 1929, in the last three years the number of those unemployed for over one year had declined', and he estimated the “hard core’’ unemployment at between 400,000 and 500,000. ’ The Chancellor referred to the week-end rumours that a general election was pending and gave them a firm denial. He maintained that the most effective contribution to recoverjf could be made through stimulating trade. He said Britain’s very remarkable figures showing the advance in exports were unequalled in the world except by Japan. The continued success must depend on the maintenance of a policy of cheap money and sound finance.