Barrage of Questions

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 806, 29 October 1929, Page 9

Barrage of Questions

LABOUR & UNEMPLOYMENT Government’s Hardest Test THOMAS FACES KEEN CRITICISM *" United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Received 1.11 p.m. LONDON, Monday. TIIE Lord Privy Seal and Minister in Charge o£ Unemployment, Mr. J. H. Thomas, who at the commencement of the Labour regime was regarded as one of the big men of the Administration, has been the subject of consistent Press criticism, and will face a veritable bombardment of questions at the opening of the House of Commons tomorrow.

A Labour member, Mr. Harry Day, will fire the first shot, asking the estimated number of employment schemes sanctioned by Mr. Thomas’s department during the recess, with a view to getting an opportunity for a full-dress debate on the Government’s unemployment plans. Mr. Thomas will reserve his full statement and speech for the debate. Throughout, the first days of the session, Mr. Thomas is likely to be much in evidence* for despite the success of Mr. MacDonald’s foreign policy, it seems definite that the Government will be judged on its unemployment policy. Parliamentarians express the opinion that the Labour Government’s programme is already much overloaded, especially in view of the fact that as a minority Government it is bound to meet with some difficulties from which a Government with an assured majority is free.

The rising tide of unemployment is the worst danger. This and the question of a reduction of working hours in the coal-mining industry without a diminution in wages are certain to raise highly debatable issues. The Conservatives will keep the unemployment issue in the foreground and as there is little chance of a marked improvement in the next few months the members of the Cabinet will be forced to defend themselves

with the plea: “We must have more time.” IMPORTANT BILLS Apart from the coalmining legislation other important bills foreshadowed are those providing for slum clearance, drainage schemes, ratification of the Washington Eight Hours Convention, amendments of the Trades Union Disputes Act and Trades Union Act, an amendment of the Contributory Pensions Act in favour of widows and the regulation of traffic. The newspapers generally predict that the session will be one of the most lively in the hjstory of Parliament. » LLOYD GEORGE IMPATIENT The “Daily Sketch” says Mr. Lloyd George, Leader of the Liberals, Is impatiently awaiting Mr. Thomas’s statements. If the unemployment problem Is not dealt with successfully he is prepared immediately to throw the Labour Government out. The “Daily Mail” predicts bitter criticism from the Opposition iu regard to Egypt, Iraq, India and AngloSoviet relations. But, it says, the Conservatives and Liberals both have internal disputes and are not likely to challenge the Government, whose chief danger is from its own “backbenchers” who regard its policy as too “pink.” . -