BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2140, 16 March 1908, Page 2

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

UNEMPLOYED WORKMEN’S BILL AN AMENDMENT PROPOSED. Unitod Pross Association—Copyright , (Received March 10, 5.8 p.m.) LONDON, March 14. In tlio Houso of Commons Mr. Phillip Snowden Wilson moved tlio second reading of tho Unemployed Workmen’s Bill, in which much public interest is being displayed. Air. Wilson, in explaining tho root and principle of the Bill, said that the problom of the unemployed must bo regarded ns a national matter. Mr Ramsay Macdo.naUl, seconded, claiming that the measure was only an extension of tho legislation of 1905. It was a mistake for the Liberals to fancy they heard the rumble-tumble of socialism. No fateful results would follow this labor demand, and tlio cost would not exceed one Dreadnought annually. Air. F. Maddern moved,an amendment affirming that the Bill would throw out of work more than it would assist, and that it would also destroy the power of organised labor. He censured the socialists for telling people that there was a way by which everybody could get work, and advocating ruinous tfiid disastrous land schemes. State control of lives must follow the recognition of tlio right to have work, which was ail interference which no freedom-loving people would tolerate. (Received Alarch 15, 5.30 p.m.) Air. Grayson said that if the Government were unable to solve the unemployed problem, they ought to resign. The money needed could bo obtained by burstings the bags of the wealthy, which were filled with unearned increment. Mr; John Burns, in a vigorous and argumentative speech, repudiated tho charge that nothing had been done for tho poor. The cry was everywhere raised, that the Government was threatening the monopolies of the rich, and exalting the fustian and the corduroy at the expense of the tall liat and froc'k coat. No other country would have spent so mucli on tho relief of the poor, or would people have interested themselves so wholeheartedly to assist. He was indignant while referring to tlie failure of the farm colonies, and stated that Hollcsley Bay involved a loss of £22,000 per year, and they gave striking illustrations of the unsatisfactory results of such, methods of assisting unemployed. A few local authorities desired the powers of the Bill to be confirmed, but he was confident that such legislation was a delusion and a snare. Air. Asquith declared that tlie acceptance of the main principle of the Bill would be more prejudicial to the workers, than any other class, and would vastly aggravate the want of employment. It would ultimately necessitate ihe complete State control of the whole machinery of production. Tlie Bill was rejected by 265 to 116, and the amendment carried by 24l to 95. There was much cross-voting. The majority against the Bill composed 195 Ministerialists, and 70 (Unionists. The minority included 41 Laborites, 20 Nationalists, 2 Unionists and a number of Radicals. Tho South Australian Premier attended tlie debate.