WAGE CUT BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1931, Page 5

WAGE CUT BILL

CARRIED BY COMMONS.

(British Official Wireiess.)

RUGBY, September 14

In the Commons, the debate was resumed of the second reading of the -National Economy Bill. The Bill was carried on the second reading by 310 to tSO. Mr Greenwood, for the Opposition, said the late Go.ernmn t was prepared to consider all proposals if they would achieve true equality of sacri fice. They par.ed c nviany b <aus_‘ a number of them would not accept the view of equality of sacrifice, taken by tbe other two political parties..

LIBERAL ATTACKS LABOURITES

Sir H. Samu 1 (Liberal) admitted •that the eccnon y measures must diinin sh the pui chasing power and in consequence cause some l decline in employment, but the nation was acting under the hard compulsion of financial and economic necessity. Many of them, who for forty years, had taken an active part in the werk of social reform, found themselves compelled to injure the causes in which they passionately believed, They would support the Bill with heavy heart, but a clear conscience, because they knew there was no alternative. Sir H, Samuel protested that the eX-M blisters were not free to attack in September the economies which they were ready to approve in August. He said that the late Government’s proposed unemployment economies amounted to only five millions, whereas the Exchequer had to provide the fund with 119 millions. . If the increased contributions were deducted, the late Government’s actual economies were only forty-two . millions, towards a deficit of 178 millions. This was deemed inadequate and the new proposals were produced, leaving the conclusion that if Labour I remained in office it would have ac- I cepted all the present cuts except the , unemployment ten per cent. During a cross-fire of interruptions Mr Snowden gave details of the cuts at a meeting of the Labour Party and Trades Union Council Committee, without the slightest protest from Mr Henderson, sitting a yard away.

WAGE CUT POLICY

LONDON, September 14

Wage cut have extended to the West End theatres, where five to ten per oent. reductions have been applied practically to everybody engaged in the profession. It i« expected also to apply to the “stars.”