Unemployment Action This Session Urged

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 773, 20 September 1929, Page 10

Unemployment Action This Session Urged

INSURANCE BILL COMMITTEE’S REPORT (THE SIX'S Parliamentary Reporteri PARLIAMENT BLDGS.. Tburs. Tjie Labour Bills Committee of tbe House of Representatives, reporting on tbe Unemployed Workers Bib- said that it was realised that the Bill, iu its present form, could not proceed, but recommended tbat. in its opinion, the Government should take action this session to deal with unemployment insurance. “This is rather an interesting report,” said Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West), congratulating the committee on its recommendation. "It is a straight-out indication of the committee's desire that the Government should do something this session. There seems to be a tendency on the part of the Government to put the question off.”

The Minister of Justice, the Hou. T. M. Wilford: That is not so. Mr. Savage: I appreciate that interjection. I hope the Government will produce the goods this session. Mr. Wilford: That is another question.

Mr. Savage: I think it is the same, question. There is plenty of time between now and Christmas. I put it to the Government whether it expects 1 members representing Labour to keep on waiting. I think the Government is | testing our loyalty a little too much. “Loyalty?” inquired Mr. A. M. j Samuel tThames). Mr. Savage: Yes. Loyalty to common sense. Mr. Samuel: Oh. I thought you' meant loyalty to the Government. Mr. Savage: I dogmatically and absolutely refuse to wait until next year. Now I want to know what the Government has to say. Mr. Fraser, the author of the Bili, , considered the committee’s recommendation a businesslike and sensible one. No Government could lightly turn down such a recommendation. Parliament would be failing In its duty if it allowed the session to conclude without dealing with the question of unemployment insurance. “I am strongly of opinion that the Government proposals will not meet the situation as far as unemployment is concerned,” said Mr. J. S. Fletcher, (Grey Lynn), who had expressed himself forcefully on the same subject a week earlier, when Mr. Fraser’s Bill was before the House. “I look forward with trepidation to the situation that is developing in Auckland particularly, and in New Zealand generally,” said Mr. Fletcher. “The time is ripe for action, and I am going to support the recommendation of the committee.” The report was laid on the table.