MR. LLOYD-GEORGE'S DEFENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12840, 9 December 1911, Page 5

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE'S DEFENCE

SUPPORTED BY LABOUR.

LONDON, December 7

.: .Mr.'j'Henry W. Forster (Unionist) was ompjiatic in his statement that his amendment was not intended to wreck the Bill inasmuch as his supporters approved national insurance, but eighteen new clauses passed in a single night 'under the guillotine did not allow of ' adequate; discußsipn. , Mr. . Rama|^: • Macd6riald said tho choice now was no legislation or legislationl r which was only partially satisfactory; He did not. doubt but that the trades unions believed that the lower ranks were unable to pay both tho insufaneo and union contributions. Nevertheless, the Bill would compel the Legislature to faco the problems which it would not otherwise have faced, and therefore he would vote for it despito its adniitted faults. Mr. Lloyd-George said the amendment wias a. sliifty method of destroying the measure. If there were any mistakes they were remediable on reconsideration. To pass the amendment would involve the sacrifice of eight months' labour and matters have been arranged with the Friendly Societies, and although he had no confirmation he believed the doctors were satisfied. He contended it would be impossible to meet the demands otherwise than as proposed. He reminded the Opposition that tho Government might havo adopted the compulsory, noncdntributory system and added significantly that he could have found the requisite money, and. the income tax afterwards would not havokMen aa high as in, Berlin, to-day. (Cheers.) He 6tre:mV>usly , argued that' the Government accepted the principle of contributions advocated by their opponents and therefore were entitled to protection {jgainst misrepresentation at byeledtidns. Amid excitement he accused Lord Robert Cecil of being a false witness against the Government in an election leaflet.

Tho.' doctors have subscribed £150,000 to compensate the doctors for losses sustained through adhering to the policy of the Medical Association in connection with the Insurance Bill.

I Received December 8, 9.40 p.m. : LONDON, December 8. Friendly .. societies petitioned .the ■ House'of Lords to amend the Insurance I Bill to en able-'them the payment of | sickness benefjfc;-/thq.ffn;st- day of illness ■I instead of the fotfrffi.it 1,. The British Constitution Association ; urges the Lords to reject the Bill or ' sulimvb it to a poll of the people. I Members of the Stock Exchange avo raising £10/300 for the National Service League- propaganda of compulsory . training. A sum of £2000 has already j liccn collected.

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