BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 19330, 15 September 1921, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM I CABINET COMMITTEE’S DELIBERATIONS i DOLE SYSTEM NOT TO BE EXTENDED. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian <t N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, 5.5 p.m.) i The Cabinet's committee upon employ- | ment had a long conference. They considered the Labour Exchange’s report that 1,527,000 were wholly unemployed, and about. 400,000 working short time, while 290,000 have exhausted their unemployment benefits, being out off work for more than 22 weeks, but they will be entitled to a further sixteen weeks from November 2. The Cabinet decided that there must be no extension of individual doles, which are the worst, means of relieving unemployment. The committee recommend assistance to local authorities out of the Treasury. It is understood that they contemplate thus spending £10,000,000. The committee discussed a large road scheme a? a means of relieving the situation. WORK FOR EX-SERVICEMEN. RECONSTRUCTION OF DEVASTATED FRENCH AREAS. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, 8 p.m.) Two hundred ex-servicemen left London to work in the French devastated areas. If the experience proves successful other batches will be sent, and will be paid at the French trade union rate of two francs an hour for unskilled labour.

CROWN COLONIES AND PROTECTORATES. ADMINISTRATIVE REORGANISATION. GREATER MEASURE OF AUTONOMY. (The Times.) LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, 8 p.m.) The Times’s special correspondent writes that the Colonial Office is considering a scheme for the reorganisation of the administration of the Crown colonies and protectorates, designed to give them a greater amount of autonomy. The main proposals are the grouping of various colonies according to their geographical position under High Commissioners, who will shoulder some of the duties and responsibilities, especially regarding public appointments and finance, which now devolve on the Secretary of State. It is anticipated that the change will ensure an important saving of expenditure. The various groupings include pricing Fiji, the Falklands, and all other Crown possessions in the Pacific under a High Commissioner stationed at Suva. The High Commissioners to be given complete control of the Imperial military forces as well as the local volunteers within their jurisdiction. They will be assisted by a Council consisting of members partly elected and partly nominated by representative electors or vested interests, such as the commercial, professional, and agricultural classes. The privileges and prerogatives of these have not yet been decided. The native races will find representation thereon. Although the scheme is still in process of evolution it is believed that its main principle will be along the lines mentioned. MARITIME CONFERENCE NEW BILL OF LADING LONDON, September 13. (Received September 14, 5.5 p.m.) Mr J. W. Hunter, Agent-Genera! for Queensland, ha’ returned to London. He confirms Mr Ashbolt’s optimism regarding the results of the maritime conference. He hoped the new bill of lading would be introduced early in the year.