BRITISH POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17326, 11 February 1928, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS.

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. GOVERNMENT ASSAILED. AN ANOMALOUS POSITION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received February 11. 11.5 a-im) LONDON, February 10. The House of Commons resumed the debate on the Labour Party’s amendment to the Address-in-Tteply. Mr J. 11. Thomas (Labour, Derby) said Government sraieehes during the recess suggested a substantial improvement In the unemployment position, but actually when the House reassembled on Tuesday it transpired that there were 69,000 more unemployed than before the recess. There were hundreds of thousands of young people who, since they had left school, or finished their apprenticeship, had never done a day’s work. They were walking the streets, which led to their complete demoralisation and loss of character. They had the anomalous position of men of 70 being unable to retire owing to the scant pension, and men of 20 who were keen to work being denied employment. The Government was wholly responsible. Mr Baldwin must be getting very tired. He could not be feeling happy with the incompetents surrounding him

“We believe he has been in office three years too long. In the interests of the community, good government, and the future of civilisation, It is hoped he will soon be relieved of his burden,” Mr Thomas concluded.

Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister (President of the Board of Trade) twitted Mr Thomas with countering Mr Henderson’s recent declaration that if the Government went to the country now it would be a grave dereliction of duty and an act of treachery. The amendment raised the issue between Socialism and private enterprise. “That,” he said, “is the issue on which we will light.” He agreed that Socialism was the ark of the Labour covenant , and assumed that the dinghy (what was left of the Liberal Party) would wobble along in the ark’s* wake. He looked forward to a much better opportunity for the younger people, largely because of the work of Uie training centres. Progress was slow, but steady. The improved export trade was the best indication of returning prosperity. The most hopeful market was the Empire, but the Labour Party’s policy made Empire trade as difficult as it could by refusing preference.