LABOUR AND UNITEDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 15

LABOUR AND UNITEDS.

"LIMIT TO. OUR PATIENCE."

PROMISES BY MINISTERS.

MR. SAVAGE AND UNEMPLOYMENT

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

"An interjector has said that the Labour Party has supported tho Government pretty long. I will say in answer to that that there is a limit to our patience. I will leave it at that." In those terms Mr. M. J. Savage (Labour, Auckland West), Deputy-Leader of tho Labour Party, concluded a speech on tho Imprest Supply Bill debate in the House this evening. On the same occasion a year ago Mr. Savage spoke in similar strain, a eircumstanco which has to be taken into consideration in assessing the bearing the statement has on the Labour Party's attitude to the Government "During tho past 18 months we have had promises galoro from various Minjsters of the Crown in regard to unemployment, but nothing of a substantial character has been done to relieve the position," said Mr. Savage. The tendency, he added, was to avoid that responsibility and to put it on to governing local bodies. There should be a policy of some substance under which men and women could earn a living. There were thousands and thousands of acres of Crown land waiting for improvement and settlement and thousands of able bodied men waiting for work, but nothing was done because there was lack of organising ability among those in high places. Unemployment was a national question and ho was anxious to find out what were tho intentions of tho Government ."in regard to the problem.

The ban on the publication of unemployment figures was also referred to by Mr. Savage, who congratulated the nowlyappointed Minister of Labour on the action he had taken to have the registrations made public. It was unfortunate, however, that the figures did not reveal any improvement in tho unemployment position. ' MR. MASTERS' POSITION. DEPUTY-LEADER OF COUNCIL. APPOINTMENT ANNOUNCED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday. Tho appointment of the Hon. R. Masters, of 'Stratford, as deputy-leader of the Legislative Council was announced by the Prime Minister, tho Hon. G. W. Forbes, to-day. Mr. Forbes said that Mr. Masters, when a member of tho Houso of Representatives, had shown himself to bo ono of the' soundest critics in matters of finance, business undertakings and departmental activities. His criticisms had always been looked upon as being worthy of the utmost attention. At tho same time ho had displayed a broad outlook on public and national affairs generally, and Mr. Forbes was convinced that in his new position Mr. Masters would bo ablo to give useful assistance to tho Leader of tho Council, Sir Thomas Sidey, in every direction. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. J INVESTIGATION SUGGESTED. NEW LINES OR GOOD ROADS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.]

WELLINGTON, Friday,

An overhaul of tho Government's railway construction policy was suggested by Mr. W. J. Poison (Independent, Stratford) in a question of which he gave notice in tho House to-day. The question, which was addressed to tho Prime Minister, was as follows: "Whether having regard to tho position disclosed by the Prime Minister in refer enco to the financial situation, tho Government will apply tho name method of investigation to tho construction of newrailway lines as it is now doing to the working of existing lines; and now either widen the scopo of tho Railway Commission's inquiry in order to enable it to report upon the prospects of tho various main trunk railways now under construction earning reasonable interest on the cost; and further, that tho inquiry may ascertain whether tho requirements of tho affected districts cannot be adequately served by good motor roads ?" FOODS FOR STOCK. REMOVAL OF DUTY URGED. [by telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON, Friday. In view of the fact that the Government had removed tho duty on bran and pollard, Mr. H. M. Ruslnvoifth (Country —Bay of Islands) gavo rotico in tho Houso to-day to ask tho Minister of Customs whether consideration would bo given to tho removal of the duties on all stock foods.