TO PROVIDE WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1929, Page 11

TO PROVIDE WORK

LABOUR CABINET’S PLANS

FOSTERING OF INDUSTRIES PUBLIC WORKS SCHEMES OVERSEAS POSSIBILITIES Australian Press Association. United Service. London, July 3. The Government’s unemployment policy was outlined in the House of Commons to-day by the Minister in charge, the Rt. Hon. J. 11. Thomas, Lord Privy Seal. The proposals outlined met with more praise from Conservative and Liberal qtiarters than from Mr. Thomas’ own ranks, Indeed throughout the speech there was an ominous silence In the Labour benches. The disappointment could almost be felt. On the other hand the Conservatives were obviously relieved. The Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, revealed the real opinion when he expressed the view that there was only a limited amount of credit available, and if it were diverted in one direction “you are likely to make new unemployment in another.” Members subsequently in the lobbies eagerly discussed a reference in Mr. Churchill’s speech to a confidence mo--tion in January. His friendly attitude to the Liberals was also much discussed. Some interpreted his speech as an invitation to unite against Socialist forces. All were agreed that the Government policy will be sharply reviewed six months hence in the light of events. Mr. Thomas said the ultimate solution of the unemployment problem could not bo separated-from the trade, commerce and industry of the country, but the gravity of the situation demanded special measures. The most dangerous part of. the problem was that 400,000 or 500,000, despite all their efforts to find work, had been unemployed in some cases for three or four years, particularly in areas where xhe paralysis of one industry meant the ruin of the district. His task was to examine schedules which would not only give work to unemployed but would stimulate trade at home and abroad and add to the economic equipment of the country. The railway companies were giving orders, so far as they could, to substitute steel sleepers for wooden sleepers, for which 1,250,000 tons of timber were imported annually. He was discussing with the' Post Office the question of substituting steel dnd concrete posts for the timber posts now used for telephones and telegraphs. He was going to explore every avenue to •<eo whether things could be produced in this' country which were at present imported. EXPENDITURE ON’ RAILWAYS. The question of steel railway wag gons was also under consideration, and, in reference to the remission of the railway passenger duty by the late Government on condition that £6,500,000 was expended on the railways on capital work, he had met the railway managers, who had undertaken to proceed with the new works as speedily as possible. Regarding roads, Mr. Thomas said that 500 miles of main trunk roads begun five years ago were now almost completed. Another five years’ programme was in hand which, if speeded up, would cost £9,509,000. Work for six years on secondary roads and bridges had also been sanctioned at a cost of £28,000,000. Dealing with the Thames 'bridges, Mr. Thomas said that money was allocated for the Charing Cross bridge. The expenditure there was roughly £11,000,000, but there would be engineering delays and surveys. The reconstruction of Waterloo bridge could, however, be proceeded with immedi- j ately. Work of this kind was being 1 examined by a committee, whose report would be published shortly. Mr. Thomas was meeting various local authorities to-morrow and had already discussed schemes of development with the municipal tramway authorities. The work of Lord St. David’s cominittce would continue, but, while hitherto the granting of money by this committee had been limited to municipalities, in future assistance would be given to public utility companies. lie proposed to seek powers this month to guarantee a sum of £3,509,000 for loan purposes and to grant interest for a period not exceeding 15 years, where assistance by. a guaranteed loan was inadequate. Schemes for land drainage, afforestation and fisheries development were being examined and special, schemes for development in Scotland.

In the Budget each year there would in future be set aside a sum of £1,090,000 to be used for the development'of the colonies alone. It was proposed to extend the exports credits scheme for a longer period of years. MIGRATION PROPOSALS. Power would be taken this month to amend the East Africa and Palestine Guaranteed Loan Act to enable £1,000,000 worth of schemes to be put in hand there without delay.. The Government was having a survey made of t'lio Empire cotton areas conducted by aeroplane with a view to their development. He had said little about migration within the Empire because ho believed that was a problem to be negotiated on the spot. He proposed to visit Canada during the recess to discuss the whole question. In response to a suggestion from Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Lloyd George, tho Prime Minister agreed to withdraw and reconsider the resolution giving Government business precedence over that of, private members until Christmas. Mr. MacDonald said that the Government proposed to submit one or two purely departmental Bills and one or two’ giving the Government certain powers to deal with unemployment , before the House rose about the end of July. ' , The Rt. Hou. Philip Snowden said lie would not a-sk the House to proceed with last year's draft Finance Bill. Mr. Thomas said that the entry of children of 14 into industry was a problem bristling with difficulties. There

were 300,000 people engaged in industry between the ages of 65 and 70, and an equal number aged 25 were unemployed. In the Dominions there was material ready to be used on this side, but there was human material going to waste. He could not dictate to the Dominions, but he hoped that, when tho position. was explained to them they would desire to help.