UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1929, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

PRIME MINISTER MAKES STATEMENT. ' .- WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. “I am not f going -(to bey driven by any* combination,” was • the Prime Minister’s declaration when he made clear to the House early this morninjg that unemployment insurance will not be the subject of legislation this session. He reminded members of the Budget reference to this mat-, ter with the promise of legislation next session after careful investigation. He, said that there had been an effort to force him, but nobody cioiild do it this session. V

Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central);,; Give us the opportunity. We will. Sir Joseph Ward repeated that there was a great deal to be done be-' fore an unemployment scheme couldbe formulated, and it was useless indulging in platitudes and; putting an immature scheme on the statute' book. To expect •immediate legislation was demanding the impossible. Mr Fraser: Not at all. • Sir Joseph Ward: I am not going to try the impossible. Mr Fraser: Then you should give way to someone else. , Sir Joseph Ward: Very well, I am prepared to give way to. someone else when, they can turn me' out. But, that’s not the end. of it.,./ - / Mr Fraser : That is for the country to decide. The Prime Minister;' turning to his supporter,/' Mr,/Fletcher Lynn) remarked that (lie was quite prepared to investigate Mr Fletcher’s suggestion for increasing the amount of the highways revenue to £3,000,000 by borrowing £2,000,000 more for two years as a means of meeting the unemployment difficulty. “But I want to tell him it can’t be done.” (Laugh : ter and Labour cries :“Why, investigate it?”) Sir Joseph Ward: I am quite willing to investigate it, but as a matter of fact it would mean borrowing on the London market three yeqrs running. It is not a feasible financial proposition. I am quite willing.. Mr Fraser: To investigate how’ it can’t he done? (Laughter.) Sir Joseph Ward: To- investigate it to satisfy anybody who thinks it can be done. Mr Fletcher: I could handle the matter mvself. •

Sir Joseph i Ward: I dare say you could. (Laughter.) The lion gentleman should beware of gifts, from the Greeks. The Reform Party are throwing their gifts at you. It was to flatter the lion gentleman and elevate him on a pedestal that did not have a foundation.

Mr Fletcher: How does one hang on, if there is no foundation? (Laughter.) (Sir Joseph Ward: I am telling the lion gentleman in a perfectly respectable manner. (Loud laughter.)