BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 19479, 31 March 1922, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

UNEMPLOYMENT HEAVY INSURANCE PAYMENTS (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, 5.5 p.m.) In the House of Commons, Dr Macnamara, in moving the second reading or the Unemployment Insurance Bill, said that since January 10 the number of totally unemployed had fallen from 1,934,000 to 1,762,000, and partly unemployed from 303,900 to 236,000, but the engineering and shipbuilding disputes threatened to throw the country back. There should be resolute determination to settle the dispute equitably in order to take the fullest advantage of the turn of the commercial tide. The new Bill was necessary to continue unemployment doles of fifteen shillings weekly to men and twelve shillings weekly to women, together with five shillings for each man’s W'ife and a shilling for each child. The Bill provided weeks benefit to the end of October, in three instalments of five weeks each with gaps of five weeks between. Dr Macnamara told a questioner thac the total unemployment benefits paid by the Government amounted to £J5,900,000 in 1920 £6,250,000 and for the first quarter of 1922, the estimated amount was £16,500,000 in 1921. LABOUR PARTY OPPOSE BILL LONDON, March 30. In the House of Commons, Mr Thomas explained that while the Labour Party supported the Unemployment Insurance Bill, he wished to reaffirm their protest against this method of dealing with unemployment. A change of Government could not solve unemployment as it was an international problem. Mr Hopkinson moved the rejection of the Bill. Like many quack remedies, he said, it only added to the gravity of the disease. After the debate the Bill was read a second time without a division. NAVAL CONSTRUCTION. STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE. LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, 5.5 p.m.) Colonel Amery replying to a question said that thirty two ships were at present under construction for the navy at an estimated total cost of million representing the programme which would De carried out over a number of years. No capital ships were included. SHIPBUILDING STRIKE. DISASTROUS RESULTS. CONTRACTS GOING TO FOREIGNERS. LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, 5.5 p.m.) The first disastrous result of the shipyard workers’ stoppage on the Clyde, is the decision of the shipbuilders to despatch three large liners to Cherbourg to complete fitting out. Others will follow if work is not resumed. North Shields lost a contract the wages bill of which was £25,000. The vessel is proceeding to Rotterdam for repairs. ENGINEERING TROUBLE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE’S EFFORTS LONDON, March 30. The negotiating committee is further attorn; ting to arrange the engineering peace, Messrs Henderson and Bowerman, authorised mediators, have reapproached Allan Smith. The result of the negotiations is awaited with most intense interest throvghout the country. TRADE CORPORATION. LOAN SUGGESTED. LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, 5.5 p.m.) The British Trade Corporation recommends the writing down of capital by a million, also the creation of a million sterling loan at six per cent., tax free. The shares position is due to the locking up or Funds in connection with the variuos trading concerns. The rapid fall of foreign exchanges made good men weak, and moderately good men were unable to meet their obligations at present. OVERSEAS SETTLEMENT. SCHEME FOR RETIRED OFFICERS. (Received March 30, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 29. Colonel Amery replying to Mr Norton Griffiths said that the Overseas Settlement Committee had discussed with the dominion representatives possibilities of land settlement in the dominions for retired army officers. The Government could not cooperate in such schemes unless the proproposed Emigration Bill passed. AN INDIAN LOAN. FOR RAILWAYS AND IRRIGATION. LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, 5.5 pan.) The House of Commons passed a resolution of approval to raise In the United Kingdom £150,000,000 for Indian railways and irrigation.