ENEGLISH WORKLESS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1932, Page 5

ENEGLISH WORKLESS

MARCH ON LONDON DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS. (United Press Association—J3y Electric Telegraph—Copy right. ) : LONDON, October 24. Parties of unemployed from several parts,.of the country, who are expected to.,.,reach London, on foot, wifabn the next, few days, were the'subject of questions in .the • House ’ of' Commons. • ■The. Health-iMinifster-(Sir H. Young) said ithe duty of making th e necessary arrangements for accommodation oi these 1 ! people, who, had, (’been induced by Communist organisationft-Ao .leave their homes, and proceed to rested with those responsible fo,r.,fcudh demonstrations. In the event of their failure to do so, application could be made by individuals in need to the public assistance authorities but, it would not be the ufity of those M .authorities to facilitate those demonstrations, by making special arrangements.; Drenched and miserable, the hunger strikers trudged from all,.direction 3 towards London, during the week-end. The flooded roadi 3 caused the. parties to shelter in various towns,and the dSnionstrations ai*rft£Lgq<i, • for some places were abandoned. '• Th* : object of tfhe marchers;, is ; to pratant a petition, signed by a million workless to MrM*cDonald, demanding the reiiidval of the, means test, the cessation of wage cuts, and a shorter working-week, " ,‘ v . v Ip'-reference to this Government’s intention to remove the complaint that thel jneans test, which is imposed before certain unemployed persons are granted relief, penalises thrift, the “Daily Express’' states that 1 the auth- j orities probably “will not count ,as means war or other pensions up to £1 a week, small property, of workmen’s compensation awards up to £SOO. It is stated that sorhe of the unemployed lhave been forced. Tb sell their houses at great loss before being granted relief. ’