UNEMPLOYMENT BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 13

UNEMPLOYMENT BILL.

EXCITEMENT IN COMMONS

LIBERALS MOVE AMENDMENT

SUPPORT OF CONSERVATIVES

GOVERNMENT HAS MAJORITY

By Telegraph—Presß Association—Copyright. (Received November 29, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 28. The House of Commons to-day began the debate in Committee on the Unemployment Insurance Bill, to which a large number of amendments have been tabled.

The Liberal Party has given notice oi 33 amendments, and it is stated that others will be brought forward later on.

Excitement was caused when the Conservatives decided to support a Liberal amendment, to make the payment of insurance money to persons under the age of 18 conditional upon their attendance at some course of instruction.

The Minister of Labour, Miss Bondfield, opposed the amendment, on the ground that it was impracticable, as machinery for giving the instruction did not exist.

For some time it was believed that the Government would be defeated, but the amendment was lost by 237 votes to 167. Labour members cheered, and one of them shouted: " The new coalition will not work."

HELP OF UNIONS.

SCHEMES OF GOVERNMENT.

DELEGATES MEET MINISTER.

British Wireless. RUGBY, Nov. 28. The Minister in charge of Unemployment, Mr. J. H. Thomas, met representatives of the General Council of the Trades Unions Congress this morning, to discuss means of securing the fullest cooperation of the council in speeding up employment schemes.

At a meeting of the council yesterday the effect of disarmament measures on unemployment and the possibility of finding alternative work at the dockyards was discussed.

Members of the council were the guests of the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, at dinner last evening.