DEMAND FOR DOLE

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20488, 5 March 1932, Page 15

DEMAND FOR DOLE

UNEMPLOYMENT IN CANADA.

PRIME MINISTER REPLIES TO THREATS. (united press association —by electric TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.) (Received March 4th, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, March 3. An emphatic and unqualified refusal of the demands for a non-contributory unemployment insurance of the widest range and a flat declaration that neither the Government nor Parliament would be deterred by threats was given by the Prime Minister; Mr 11. B. Bennett, to-day to a delegation of unemployed of various nationalities, from various cities, heard in the Railway Committee-room in the House of Commons. Through its spokesman, Mr - James Litterich, of Toronto, "the-delegation demanded a non-contributory unemployment insurance fund, to be obtained from the taxation of those receiving incomes abdve £SOOO a year, a fund to be administerd by the workers. •Mr liitberich termed the proposals' as demands, 'closing with a threat that' unless the demands were granted the delegation would be back to Parliament.

Mr Bennett, replying, said unfortunately the spokesman had on other occasions threatened to use force. He desired to say that the Government was anxious to maintain the well-being of the citizens of the country, but when such a delegation came there and made threats, and said it would defy institutions and constituted authority, a position was being taken up which would not be allow'ed.

The Government a year ago had stated that it would not support any system of non-contributory unemployment insurance. That was. the. intention of the Government .to-dgy. . Earlier, a disorder was caused by a demonstration of several hundred unemployed marchers. After they had been refused entrance to Parliament Hill, carrying banners, the paraders attempted to hold, a meeting in 'Gonna ught square, near Parliament Buildings, when the police made a sudden descent. One of the officers was. attacked and slightly injured when struck.by,a banner pole. , Three men were taken into custody, but only one was held.