BRITAIN’S EXAMPLE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 21, 21 December 1932, Page 7

BRITAIN’S EXAMPLE

COST OF UNEMPLOYMENT. BORNE WITHOUT BORROWING. POSITION BEING MAINTAINED. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—-Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received December 21, 12 noon. RUGBY, Dec. 20.

The national voto of £19,000,000 on behalf of unemployment passed by the House of Commons last night was mainly required for the payment of transitional benefits under the insurance fund and in order to maintain the continued balance of the insurance fund. This increase upon the original estimate was in part the sequel to the somewhat optimistic over-estimate of employment. It was pointed out by Sir Henry Betterton, Minister of Labour, that the world deterioration, which showed signs of being arrested when the original estimates were framed, had progressively continued and the expected improvement had not materialised. He emphasised that Britain bore the cost of unemployment without borrowing. Britain, almost alone among the nations', was maintaining its position in the face of the formidable economic crisis.

The Supplementary Estimates a-lso included the Government’s contribution of £IO,OOO towards voluntary movements, which have extended remarkably during recent months, to help the unemployed in finding useful and healthy means of occupying their time. The Prime Minister last night broadcast an earnest appeal to the public for support of these activities.