UNEMPLOYMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 8

UNEMPLOYMENT

INSURANCE AS PALLIATIVE MB J. LEWIS DISCUSSES PROBLEM In spite of unfavourable weather conditions, there was a large attendance at the meeting of electors addressed by Mr N. J. Lewis, the Reform candidate for Wanganui, at the Keith Street Hail last evening. Mr F. K. Turnbull presided. Dealing with unemployment, the speaker advocated the adoption of an unemployment insurance scheme. Some neople might raise the cry of “dole,” but lives wore insured and why, therefore, shou’d not the risk of unemployment be insured'? With such • scheme in force the worker would have something to tick' him over his periods of unemployment. This, however, was only a palliative. The solution of the problem was something different. There was only one way to lessen unemployment and that was the double scherve of pushing on land settlement and the expansion of secondary industries. In reference to the Labour Party's policy, the speaker said Labour made the greatest mistake when it followed the Marxian definition of Socialism. His view of Socialism was of an evolutionary process, which in the course of time would abolish all c'ass distinctions, and he subscribed to that view. But he did not believe in the Socialism that would destroy the sett'ed order of things in the hope that it was going to fa’! into its proper position. In regard to track? the candidate declared that he was not a believer in free trade. He, however, strongly advocated a preferential tariff with in the Empire. In reply to a question regarding the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill the speaker said he was of the belief that the provisions of the Bill cou’d be brought into effect without offence to anyone and therefore he was in favour of it. He thought that a proviso should be ma.de that parents and guardians had the right to call for a poll on the question. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate.