BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1925, Page 1

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

UNEMPLOYMENT DERATE. [Australia t fc N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, June 29. In the House of Commons, a Labourite motion of censure on the Government was moved by Mr Ramsay MacDonald in connection with the alleged neglect of the Government to cope with the growing unemployment in Britain.

Mr Baldwin said that lie had examined various causes conducing to the increased unemployment, which, lie said, was almost entirely in the coal, iron and steel industries. He thought that the time had conic to examine the British film industry, with a view to the exhibition of a larger proportion of British films, and. in view of the danger which the Empire was subjected by allowing this form of propaganda to be entirely in foreign lands, lie invited the House to consider whether, by a subsidy, it would be possible' to stimulate the industries which at present scented to he beaten down to a position of helplessness. Mr Baldwin indicated, in this connection,, as possible avenues, the payment of bounties on the production or exports or subsidies in specially distressed districts in aid ol rates: so as to take off the burdens of those who manufactured there; or, the granting o? subsidies, to bring down the goods rates on the railways. Such schemes, ho said, could only he applied to efficient industries. He emphasised the importance of scientific research, which was being utilised on a great settle in the United States, in order to produce a high quality of goods cheaply and efficiently. The Government was already helping twenty-four industries in research work.

Tn his speech on unemployment, Mi Baldwin mentioned that research work was proceeding in connection with low carbonisation coal, and the production of oil and smokeless fuel therefrom. The Government was considering a scheme for insuring debts, and was also prepared to give facilities lor modernising an drepairing works and plant. SERIOUSNESS OF SITUATION. LONDON. June 30. The debate in the House of t’uinmons showed that the seriousness of the unemployment problem had impressed the members, though no party professed to oiler an effective remedy. The tone' of Air MacDonald’s speech was mainly accusatory. He said that capitalism was in the (look, and the Government, was beside it. Mr Baldwin read most of his speech from typewritten foolscap. He urged that ninety per cent, of the employable population were working. It was essential that tlit' country should not gel “rattled.” He insisted that there were, strict limits in what Parliament could do to help the industry. Mr Philip Snowden made a. hardhitting speech. He described Mr Baldwin's remarks as a string of platitudinous generalities. The unemployed, he said, were not going to Iks led on copybook maxims. Commercial men and industrialists were losing heart. During the month of June 30-i representative securities had shrunk 18 million sterling oil the Stock Exchange. An interesting speech was delivered by Mr F. K. Guest, an ex-Ld>eral, who urged that a wide development ol imperial preference was the only remedy

lor unemployment. •‘The Dominions,” lie suit!, “can easily produce the 110 million pounds worth of food wei now buy from foreigners. We should create a free trade Umpire, with a high tariff wall against the world. Rich, unpoulated areas in the Dominions would then he developed, and an opening afforded for our

surplus population.' ’ Mr Lloyd Curse was chiefly concerned in defending the unemployment policy of the Coalition Government. Sir Alfred Aloud urged land reclamation and Empire development. The dehate closed amid a noisy scene. Clydesidors, headed by Air Alaxton, shouted down the Alinister ol.Labour. "Replying for the Government, Sir Arthur Steel .Maitland argued that it was' essential to expand their internal production. For this reason the Government were pressing migration schemes. LONDON’. June 30. The House of Commons by 373 votes to 113. rejected the censure motion moved by the Labourites, blaming the Government for not taking steps to cope with the increase in unemployment.