THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1921, Page 2

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

I BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. • AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE" ASSOCIATION. I ! THE COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16. * Lord Londonderry represents the j Colonial Office in the House of Lords, j The “Evening Standard” states Hon Churchill retains the Air Ministry besides the Colonial Office. UNEMPLOYMENT DANGER. I (Received This Day at 8.40 a.m.) j LONDON, Eeh. 16. In the Commons, Mr Clynes in movj ing an amendment to the address ’ cabled yesterday, said the gravity of ! the situation was staggering. Unem- ' ployment was worse than in December, and Parliament was faced with a declaration that, terrible as things were, nothing could be done by legislation to make them better. This was the most callous cancellation of solemn pledges. The Labour party’s demand was for work or ndeuqnte maintenance. A hint that there was to be some extension of the National Insurance was insufficient. The situation was so serious that it could not he dealt with properly by means of insurance alone. Mr Clynes declared the Labour party was in favour of refusing doles either to men or women who refused to do appropriate work when provided. The party did not support shirkers. In view of the failure of find remunerative productive work it was the duty of Government to do so. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, Feb 16. In the Commons Hon MacNamara said men’s unemployment benefit would he increased irom 15s to 18s,• women receiving 15s, hoys 9s, and girls 7s Gd. Ex-service men would continue to receive 20s. c

The later speakers were largely Labour. Mr Baines, in a solid cross bench speech criticised Mr Clynes’ reference to Russia, saying Labour was hugging a delusion if it thought anything could he got over the resumption of trade with Russia. He asked Mr Clynes' to he more explicit regarding the workers right to adequate maintenance. It was essential not to lessen the incentive to work Something might he done by the State making advances to'em]-.lovers, who would willingly keep on their workmen if they were assisted over tin* temporary difficulty. Mr Barnes stated during 1920 that twentyseven million days of labour were lost owing to strikes. Most of the trouble was due to workers mistrust,

Mi- Hartshorn drew attention to the growing unemployment in the mining industry, urging that when Government, was arranging the reparations agreement with Germany is suould remember the way the workers were affected.

Mr G. Roberts said.-We will never get unemployment within manageable limits until we have resumed trade with foreign markets. This is impossible until employers and workmen are got together in an atmosphere of goodwill. The debate was adjourned.