SPEECH BY PREMIER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14836, 13 February 1919, Page 5

SPEECH BY PREMIER.

NO DANGE3R. OF 'tTNEMPLOYMENT.

IF CONFIDENCE IS MAINTAINED.

PROPOSED GOVERNMENT •/MEASURES. lAustrallan and N.Z. Cable Association.] '•■•■-. ' ■ LONDON, -Feb. 11. " In s the ; Hoiiso of ■ Co'inmohs Lloyd I.- .George said^there were.^inore^important questions ''than/ labor unrest,^ sonic of -the '•: causes >of ,wKich- were Such f luodybeen.'-the'^ strain and ■•abnormal'tene sion ' during ' the- Mvar period, that thei-e »- was .' grave ; dissatisfaction at social ,cont ditions:aggravated during the war, many d involving human degradation. It was the Government's duty to remove tfiese r causes. ■ ... . 3 There was no danger of unemploy- , ment if confidence could be ind\iced m i those responsible for restarting the i wheels of industry. Hesitancy exists at the present owing to- the doubt regarde ing the future. ... . /< • c The Government were putting foiv f ward suggestions and introducing Bills . for housing, health, land reclamation. 1 afforestatipn,' land for soldiers, revival j of rural life. If the cost of production f soared it would mean disaster, because i Britain's purchasing capacity would be 1 reduced. ) The proposal to reduce, hours, ;re- , taining the same wage as a means of 3 reducing unemployment, was one way to - make unemployment for the whole couni try, because it meant diminished pur- -, chasing capacity, necessitating, a reduction of employment. It would also de- . stroy the overseas trade. He despaired - of -the- working classes if they failed to • realise -that fundamental principle. . There were legitimate Government [ measures- to assist, employment. He.-in- . stanced housing, -.development; of > inland ways and communications, afforestation, . and land settlement. ;. The . Government \ was bound to examine and consider. carefully the-; labor r demands/ „-isith a i view to removing.. legitimate grievances.