UNEMPLOYMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1919, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT.

THE POSITION AT HOME. NOT ABOVE THE AVERAGE. PERIOD OF PROSPERITY AHEAD, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received Nov. 23, 0.55 p.m. London, Nov. 19. Sir R, S. Home (Minister of Labor), speaking in the House of Commons, Stated that there were 1,100,000 persons receiving the unemployment donation in May, and there were 403,000 recipients in September, whereof 302,000 were cxfighters, 05,000 civilians, and 35,000 women. There were now 490,000 recipients, who did not represent actual unemployment. This was not greater than the average for fifteen years before the war. A good many were voluntarily idle. Sir H. S. Home,predicted a period of prosperity ahead, enabling the country to bear lightly its present colossal burdens. Sir Robert Home's statement resulted jn an animated debate on the whole problem of the withdrawal of the doles. Members of all parties united in asking the Government to continuo the doles for Borne weeks, until the Government unemployment scheme came into operation. Sir Robert Home pointed out that when the payments were abandoned, a considerable proportion of the unemployeds would be covered by trade union benefits. He hoped soon to introduce the Government proposals. Mr. J. B. Clynes said Labor could not i silently accept the proposal. If it were i right to pay the unemployed when their numbers were large, surely it was right to continue the payment. In view of the increased cost of living, ho appealed to the Government to reconsider continuing payments until the spring. Sir Edward Carsou concurred, declaring, amid Labor cheers, that the case for continuance was unanswerable. Sir Donald Maclean reproved the Government for not submitting a carefullyconsidered substitute scheme for gradual diminution, instead of a sudden deprivation at a most inopportune moment. He urged continuance pending an alternative. General Seely pointed out that the diminution of the Air Ministry employees had swelled nnemplojTnent, and he appealed to the Government to give an opportunity to them to seek work. Lord Hugh Cecil said economy was the supreme necessity. Mr. Bonar Law stated that the system of doles must be demoralising. It was only justifiable by the abnormal conditions arising out of the war, and could not be allowed to become permanent. One of the greatest social reforms would be that of comprehensive unemployment insurance, to which workers could largely contribute, but it could not be effected without the co-operation of organised Labor. This was impossible if Labor were led to think a donation was obtainable without a contribution. The Government was willing to consider an extension until the spring if there was a general agreement. (Cries of Yes! followed by noes.) Mr Bonar Law replied that the decision must be left to a division. Mr. Clynes moved a test amendment to reduce the Ministry of Labor's vote. This was negatived by 217 votes to 213, and means the cessation of payments to civilians.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.