WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1924, Page 3

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. LONDON, July 31. In the Jliui.se of Commons, Sir Philip Snowden (Chancellor of the Excherpier) outlined the (Government’s unemployment policy. He claimed

that Labour had a positive rentedv, but it could not effect a cure in a day. He ■said Labour would welcome the development of the canal system. He repretfed that the railway companies were not .showing much enthusiasm in re-equipping their lines. The difficulty was the companies' duty to their shareholders. If the railways were nationally controlled, he said, the position would lie very different. The Creat Western Company, during the winter, would be prepared to s|>end thirteen millions; North Kastern Company thirteen and a half millions, and the Smith Company ten millions. The country was already spending forty millions annually upon mads. The Government had approved of a further road programme costing thirteen and a half millions. Drainage schemes were under consideration. includin'; the draining of the basin of the Great Ottse. He promised an early Bill io assist electrical development. The Government decided io subsidise the beet sugar manufactured in Britain to

the extent ol J!ts ftd per hundredweight. Ibis subsidy would he continued tor ten years on a diminishing sciile. The Governnieiit had been assured that if a subsidy were planted, six factories would be started immediately, each oniployinp VOO workers. In order to puard free trade principles they would impose an excise duty of

!'s fid, this beiltp equivalent to a pro ferential Customs duty.

Mr Lloyd George twitted the Chancellor ot tile Exchequer with pros- whip the Labour Party's real remedy until alter the next election. lie said he expected it to consist of the abolition of private enterprise, and the confiscation of all industries. lie said the proposals on behalf of beet sugar would leave the industry worse off than before the last budpet. Sir L. Worthinptou-Kvaiis said that the works outlined in the Chancellor’s speech would not pive another man additional work durinp the cominp winter. The Government were produeinp rabbits from the hat. A motion to reduce the Labour Minister’s salary was rejected by 2d I votes i« 2IH.