WHY WORK AT ALL?

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12185, 9 July 1925, Page 8

WHY WORK AT ALL?

MR THOMAS ASKS A QUESTION DEMAND FOR INCREASE IN DOLE WHO WOULD PAY FOR IT? By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. •* ■ v y Oh** '* 1 (Received July 8, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 7. The conference of the National Union of Kaihvaymen, at Southport, passed a resolution charging the Government with failing to deal with the problem of unemployment. An amendment was moved demanding that the unemployment benefit be increased to 30s for each man. 15s for his wife, and 10s for each child. ' Mr J. H. Thomas, who was Colonial Secretary in the Labour Government, opposed the amendment as ridiculous. If these amounts could be paid, why. he asked, need anyone work at all? Were the majority ,0! the railwaymen to reoeive less for working than the unemployed ? Moreover, who was going to pay for it? The troubles of unemployment could only be solved internationally, but it was absurd that there was so much unemployment when millions oould he spent immediately c-n 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. COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland, Minister for Labour, announced in the House of Commons that the Government intended to institute a committee, composed of representatives of the employers, the workers, and the public, to examine the whole system of unemployment insurance.