DISTRESSED AREAS

Southland Times, Issue 20675, 22 December 1928, Page 7

DISTRESSED AREAS

BRITISH COALFIELDS TRANSFER OF UNEMPLOYED MINERS STATEMENT BY MR BALDWIN (United Aera.—-By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) London, December 21. In the House of Commons on a vote of £lOO,OOO to facilitate the transfer work of people from the distressed mining areas, Mr Baldwin said that 1250 men were getting other work weekly, of which 750 were moved directly under the auspices of labour exchanges. The programme for the coming year provided for sending at least GOOO trained and tested men to Canada. He repeated his appeal to employers to take as much additional labour as possible, remembering that with the exception of thfse black spots the country was prosperous. Over the most part the standard of living was higher than any country in Europe. The year had been singularly free from industrial trouble, hence the purchasing power was maintained and even increased. They might reasonably look for an expansion in trade. The stiffening of freights had put confidence in shipowners and had led to the placing of very considerably increased tramp steamers. The reflection would be seen in the New Year when orders begin to be placed for hulls and machinery. Mr Ramsay Macdonald, who followed, described the Prime Minister’s statement as profoundly disappointing. If the Government had done its duty it would not have waited until the last days of the session to produce supplementary estimates. “The Government says it will give pound for pound, but the measure of the Government’s support is not the needs of the community. This is a vicious principle upon which we vote money. The Government ought to supply food through local authorities. Boots ought to be an educational charge, leaving clothing to private charity.’’—Australian Press Association— United Service.