BRITISH POLITICS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10231, 6 May 1911, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

CABLE NEWS

United Press Association — By EJectrie Tehgraxth—Copyright.

INVALIDITY INSURANCE BILL

THE UNIONIST ATTITUDE

(Received Last Night, 9.45 o'clock.)

LONDON, May 5. Tho Unionist members of tho House of Commons aro delighted with the sickness and invalidity sections of the Invalidity and Unemployment Bill, but they are less emphatic in their approval of tho unemployment provisions, believing that they will add to the cost of manufacture, and should be accompanied by some form of protection against goods produced under other conditions. Tho Liberals are enthusiastic over the whole scheme. The Labourites generally oppose the Bill. They regret that unemployment insurance is not more general. UNFOLDING THE SCHEME. TRIBUTE TO JOHN BURNS. SOME OF THE DETAILS.

(Received This Morning, 12.5 o'clock.)

LONDON, Mav .;. The House was crowded when the Hon. D. Lloyd-George introduced his National Insurance Bill. The Minister was greeted with general cheers. His voice was fairly strong. Ho was two and a half hours unfolding' his Bill, which is to come into operation on May Ist, 1912. Mr Lloyd-George paid a. tribute to Mr John Burns for his services in connection with the scheme. He explained that in the first year employers would contribute £9,000,000 in sickness insurance, and the workers £11.000,000. The State, in the first year would contribute £1,742,000; in the second year £3,359,000; and in the third year £4,563,000. The first year's benefits would be £7,000,000, and would rise to £20,000,000 in 1916. Accidents are not included in the scheme. Country health committees would bo formed to administer the sanatoria, i A thirty shillings maternity benefit would bo allowed, with a provision that a woman must not return to work within a,month of maternity. No sick pay will- be allowed when illness is due'to a man's misconduct. Doctors will be paid above the Friendly Society scale for medicines' obtained from chemists. The provisions of the Bill apply to men and women who are not liable to income tax. It is estimated that 9,200,000 men, and 1,900.000 women viii be ••ompulsory, and 1,600,000 persons voluntary contributors, the latter including waiters, cab-drivers, and boys and girls under 16 years of age. Special arrangements will be made for soldiers and sailors. I

PAYMENT OF MEMBERS

(Received May 5, 9 a.m.) LONDON, May 4. Unionist members of the House of Commons have decided to oppose the Payment of Members Bill. (The Budget to bo introduced by Mr Lloyd-George on the loth instant, provides for the payment to members of the House of Commons of £4OO a' year.)