South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-04
GRAVE ISSUES
FACE SESSION
Of PARLIAMENT
Social Reforms and Irish QueS,
tiOn Most Pressing QueS-
tionS Before British AS
SembIy Opening Today.
BY United Press:

LONDON. Feb. 4.-The recon
struction" parliament convenes to-
day with a large portion OF the coun-
try's workers attempting TO take re-
construction into their own hands.
AS organization of the newly elect
ed legislative body gets under way,
Great Britain and Ireland face the
constantly growing menace of a gem
/ eral strike which is frankly admit
/ ted bv many of it's instigators 10 be
/ the first step toward attempted So
/ cialization of the nations industries
under a bolshevistic regime.
/ Added to this situation was the
EN- mbarrassing presence OF the new
Irish republic" which was formal
| ly declared at the recent Sinn-Fein
parliament" in Dublin. That the
British government had not evinced
/ in any way it's intentions toward this
new neighbor only added TO the re-
sponsibilities of the new "reconstruc-
ton parliament in the matter.
To Open Formally Feb. IL.
For n week parliament will de-
vote itself TO organization work. in
Guiding the swearing in Of mem
bers. hearing Of contests. etc. 1t will
be formally opened by King George
on Feb. IL.
So important are the problems i'm
mediately confronting parliament
/ that Premier Lloyd George despite
/ the urgency of his presence at the
| peace conference. will arrive in Lon
/ don the last Of this week TO confer
with parlia mentary leaders and d.
/ rect formulation of a legislative pro-
/ gram.
The vital questions which this
| parliament must pass upon are:
Ratification of the peace treaty.
Settlement of the general strikes.
Definition OF it's attitude toward
/ the Irish republic.
Adoption OF a general reconstruc-
tion program.
Under the last division is included
.he problem OF import restrictions
with possible departure from the
free trade" policy: free land for
soldiers: better housing and work
ing conditions and extension and
maintenance OF the merchant mar
ine.
Social Reforms Pledged.
Both the coalition and minority
parties are pledged to put through
sociological reforms (which will
make the country worthy OF the
heroism Of the men who have fought
for her since 1914"
The housing problem will be one
OF the first things 20 he considered.
Parliament will he asked to author
ize the building of thousands OF cot
tages within easy access to the in
dustrial regions. These cottages will
ne sold TO workmen on easy pay
ments.
A ministry Of health is TO be
created 10 keep tab on sanitary con-
ditions in industrial quarters and see
that the workers environment Is
made more pleasant.
The wage scale. II is hoped. will
not he allowed 10 drop back TO it's
ante e-bellum. hand-to-mouth level.
While there will be some difficulty
In fixing a minimum wage. il seems
practically certain that some figure
! will be agreed on which will enable
all workmen to maintain a much
/ higher standard OF living than hith-
erto has been possible
To Fix Working Day.
Regulation OF working hours will
/ be debated and some maximum
working day fixed
The labor ministry is helping de-
/ modified soldiers TO find iobs
Whether such assistance will develop
into a regular free labor agency with
I branches throughout the country. OF
whether the bulk OF this work will
he done by the trade unions. is stin
uncertain. Both schemes have their
I advocates
Quick formation and passage OF
the industrious part Of the recon
struction program will. IL is believed.
tend toward amicahle adjustment OF
the labor crisis now threatening the
country.
There was some conjecture as 20
whether the Sim -Feiners elected 70
parliament would attend in its for
matory stages, Il seemed 10 be a
foregone conclusion that IL they did
they would withdraw before formal
converting OF the body next week
compelled them 10 swear allegiance
20 the king The few Irish national
lists elected will be represented by
T. p. OConnar. their leader.