PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17750, 29 June 1929, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS.

UNEMPLOYMENT DISCUSSED. PREMIER’S SPIRITED SPEECH. 9 , (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The House of Representatives this morning passed the first Imprest Supply Bill and the Government measure extending for a further year the period within which local bodies may borrow for the relief of unemployment. The question of unemployment was subjected to a Labour barrage from 4 p.m. until 2.5 p.m. to-day. A spirited reply to Labour criticism and the Government's action was delivered by the Prime Minister, who predicted that the solution to employment was to be found in a vigorous closer land settlement policy. “We are commencing the new session and commencing under very grave difficulties,” said the Prime Minister. “ If members are going to play with the Government when problems are waiting to be solved, then I want to know where are we? We have started with a deficit. We have £2,000,000 of a deficit in the State superannuation funds to provide for. We have those important matters under consideration. We have been dealing with them in the past. Am I to take it as an indication, on the eve of starling the new Parliament, that these matters are to be buried or subordinated to criticism upon the Imprest Supply Bill, which contains nothing that calls for any immediate action? Naturally I w r ant to know where I am.’

Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) : “So do we on the question of unemployment.” “ There is more than unemployment at the present moment,” said the Prime Minister. “ I want to know where we are. I want to know that from the point of view of what I believe to be my duty.” “ So do we,” remarked a member. Mr. Fraser: “Obviously the Government does not know.”

“ Well, I know,” continued the Prime Minister. “ This is too serious a matter to treat lightly. I do not want to provoke any rejoinders from members, but I want to say that unemployment is part nad parcel of the difficulty that exists at the present moment. The Government is prepared to submit its proposals to the House, and all it asks is that they be given fair consideration. That is not asking anything unreasonable.”