LIVING WAGE FOR FARM LABOURERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1929, 11 December 1913, Page 7

LIVING WAGE FOR FARM LABOURERS.

BRITAIN'S "MINISTRY OF LANDS." By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. December. 10, 10.30 p.m.) London, December 10. ' The Prime Minister (Mr. H. H. Asquith), speakivicr at the National. Liberal Club, said that trade unionism weapons were ineffective in dealing with agricultural labourers' wages, which were totally inadequate to satisfy a decent humane existence. Tho Stato must undertake to secure them a living wage. Tho Government believes that local authorities' Jiajulitie's ' iii with housing should also eivo tho" labourer a chance to Income a small holder.

Mr. Asquith, continuing, summarised the land policy unfolded by .'Mr. LloydGeorgo (Chancellor of the Exchequer), and said that it was proposed to create a Ministry of Lands to absorb tho administrative functions scattered among other Civil Departments. The Government' wquld assist housing by loans from the Insurance Reserve Fund. It was not intended, ho said, to adopt the Irish system of Land Court, which the English people would not tolerate, but the Commissioners to carry out the scheme would bo a judicial body, independent of tho .Executive, and its procedure would bo cheap and expeditious. In future tenants' improvements would not bo allowed to bo taken into account in fixing the basis of new rentals.