BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1929, Page 6

BRITISH POLITICS

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, March 13.

In the House of Commons, Air Samuel, in answer to a question, admitted Air Churchill’s estimate of the loss of revenue due to the general strike and coal stoppage included, the Government’s subsidy of twenty-three millions to the coal industry.

He informed Commander Kenworthy that the Government received £6,616,000 as individuals on its holdings of shares and debentures in the Anglo-Pcrsian Oil Company.

Replying to . Air Marriott, Air Ormshy-Gorc said that for the year ending January 31, 1929, the applications from families for assisted passages to Canada totalled 6583, and to Australia 4634. In the same period the applications from individuals not included in families totalled 28/466 for Canada and 21,417 for Australia. Hie number of approvals and sailings to Canada totalled 2,732 families and' 18,728 individuals, and to Australia 2,973 families and 10,444 individuals.

Air Tom Williams: “Does that mean that for every three applications only one received an opportunity? ” Mr Ormsby-Gore: “No. The proportion going to Australia vas moio than half.” He added that the Canadian figures did not include the miner harvesters, who went to Canada last autumn.

Replying to Air Wellock, Al.r Wrilmer said no general reduction in the charges for beam wireless telegrams was not contemplated at present.

Replying to Mr Wedgwood Bonn, .Mr Wolmer added that the Government had begun negotiations for the merger to use the beam wireless. LONDON, .March 13.

.Mr Llovd George gave a luncheon party in the House of Commons to launch the Liberal election campaign. His speech was on the lines suggested 0,. .March Ist, the policy being to reduce unemployment to normal within a single year. Simultaneously a boon has been published expounding the scheme. It reveals that a fundamental feature is the expenditure of £145 000,00(1 on road construction, providing employment for 300.000 men in the first year, and for 375,000 men in the second year. The necessary capital would he raised by a road loan, secured upon the increasing income following the work. Further schemes would provide work for the number stated, as follows: Housing. 60,000 men; telephones 60,000; electrical, 62.000; land and drainage. 30,000; and London passenger transport, 24,000. Mr Lloyd George stressed the likelihood of un increased revenue from general prosperity, and he anticipated that lie would he able to reduce taxation. The “Daily Telegraph” comments: Wherever there is work, put the unemployed thereon, says Air Lloyd George, hut when questions are raised concerning their aptitude or willingness and the cost oif their- transference, he is silent. It is ve-ll to remember that the unemployment was worst .when Mr Lloyd George was Prime Minister. He does not say haW thousands of men are going to he taught the jobs suddenly. He suggests that if little Sirs could make shells in wartime the unemployed can now adapt thenselves to anything. Yet Mr Lloyd George should know the difficulties besettino- newcomers into closely gunned occupations. As regards road work the waste would he enormous, . nu l the standard of output would de generate to that of relief work.