UNEMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1919, Page 1

UNEMPLOYMENT IN BRITAIN.

CRITICISED IN COMMONS. (J2y Electric Telegraph—Co-might.) LONDON, Nov. 21. The Labour Minister, Mr Horne, in the House of Commons, made a general statement regarding the Government’s intention not to continue paying weekly sums to people as unemployment grants. He stated that there J were 1,110,000 people receiving these c weekly unemployment donations (£l 5s T to £1 each), in May. There were 403,- 1 000 recipients in September, whereof 0

303,000 were ex-fighters, 65,000 were civilians and 35,000 were Women. There wei'le now 35,000 recipients, who, he said did not realty represent actual unemployment. He said the amount of unemployment now- was not greater

than the average extent of it for the fifteen years before the war. A good many of the recipients, he said, were staying idle. - Mr Horne predicted that a period of prosperity was ahead, thus enabling the country to bear lightly the presentcolossal burdens. Mr Horne’s statement resulted in an animated debate on the whole problem of the withdrawal of the doles.

Various members of all parties united in asking the Govefriient to continue the doles, at least for some weeks, until the Government unemployment scheme cnlrie .into operation. Mr Horne pointed out that when payments were abandoned, a considerable proportion of the unemployed would he covered by Trade Union benefits. He said ho hoped soon to introduce the Government’s hew proposals.

Mr Clynes said Labour could not silently accept the proposals. If it were right to pay money to unemployed when the number were large surely it would he right to continue payments in view of the increased eorib of living. He appealed to the Government to reconsider the continuing of the payments until the spring. Sir E. Carson concurred, declaring with Labour approved, tile, case for continuance of the doles was unanswerable.

Mr Donald MsicLean (Liberal Leader) reproved the Government for not submitting to the House sOiub carefully considered substitute scheme providing for a gradual, not a sudden diminution of the doles instead of stopping them at a most inopportune moment. He urged a continuance pending an alternative scheme.

General Seeley- pointed but that the diminution of the Air Ministry’s employees swelled the Unemployment. He appealed to the Government to give an opportunity to them to seek work. Lord Hugh Cecil said that economy was the supreme necessity. Mr Bonar • Law stated that this system of doles must he demoralising to the people. It was oiily made justifiable by the abnormal conditions arising out of the War. It cOlild hot be allowed to become a permanent one. Ho said the greatest of social reforms Would he a comprehensive scheme of unemployment insurance to which the workers could largely contribute, but it could not ho effected without the cooperation of organised Labour. This Would he impossible if Labour were led to think that a donation would he obtainable without a contribution. Tho Government Would be willing to consider an extension of the employment pay until next spring, if there were general agreements on it.Cries of “Yes,” followed by “Noes.” Mr Bonar Law replied; “The decision must he left to a division. Mr Clynes moved a test. amendment to reduce tlie Ministry of Labour’s vote. It was negatived by 217 votes to 213, The result means a cessation of the payment to civilians.