The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-11-29
LABOR IS THE
GREAT issue
IN ENGLAND
Question o f Unem-
ployment Immedi-
ately Becomes Cen
ter Of Interest in
Parliament

London, Nov. % fBy the Asso-
ciated ress).-The opening Of the
business session of parliament to-
day quickly revealed what is likely
to be the paramount question in
both houses, apart from Irish iegis-
lation, for which the session was
especially called. The keynote of
this was struck in the kings
speech. unemployment.
AS soon as the time honored
ceremonies incident to the state
opening OF parliament were con-
cluded and before the new parlia-
ment really settled down to it's du-
ties, it became evident that the
governments hope Of limiting the
discussions to the Irish bill would
be disappointed. Labor, through
the mouth of its new parliamen-
tary leader. J. Ramsay MacDon-
aid, Immediately fastened on to the
governmental confession in the
kings speech that it has no new
policy with respect to this i'm
portant question but depends upon
an execution of the late CO.
alition governments proposed rem
edies.
The tenor of the opposition
speeches in the debate on the ad-
dress was to press the prime mir
ister to receive an 'unemployed'
deputation. This, however, Bo-
mar Law seems determined not te
do. In further reply to a renew
ed request by the deputation~ 20,
an interview tonight, he refused
again on the same ground. name.
~, that orderly administration vii
become impossible if every grour
desiring to raise a departments
question ignores the responsible
minister.
Lord Birkenhead. in the house Of
lords, referred to the eNtrein.
gravity of the unemployment cues
ton. for which no statesman yc'
had devised remedy. This maJ
perhaps, be taken as an Indicator
of the line which criticism from
the Lloyd George party will 20;
low.
John Robert clynes, former pa,
liamentary Labor leader, will nacys
an amendment to the address. ex,
pressing regret that the govern.
ment has no proposal for adequate
treatment. Of the unemploymcn
problem, nor any Indication g (
change of policy to enable Euro
pean customers to buy British
goods again, and. SO restore inter
national trade and stabilize inter
national exchange.
While the debate in the house
of commons today focused mainly
on unemployment and social prob
lens in the house of lords. it con.
cerned for the most part foreign
policy. viscount Grey. layins
stress on the danger Of Germany
Turkey and Russia forming com
bination together against the allies
pleaded that everything should be
done to maintain a strong. united
entente.
The prime minister in the COM
mons was able to give no infor-
nation about the Lausanne con-
ference and thought it was not the
business of parliament or the press
to interfere in the conference nc
gotiations.
The new Communist member, J
T. w. Newbold. and Edwin Sey-
mour. who defeated Winston Spen-
Ger Churchill in the recent elec-
tions. got themselves early into the
limelight with somewhat violent
speeches. Mr.. Newbold came into
conflict with the speaker in his
first speech. in which he described
today's state function as "a tom
fool show" the cost Of which
would better have been devoted to
unemployment.
Lduy ASlCl, III q SPCSSh S.H eitS
housing question, in which she was
frequently interrupted by Labor
ties, with whom she had some
acrimonious passages. declared
that although she was Conserva-
tive she would vote against the
government unless good housing
proposals were provided.
Lloyd George was present but
did not speak. Rumors that he in
tended to retire for the time ap-
pear to be unfounded for he was
unanimously elected leader of the
National Liberals at meeting OF
that party today and is expected
to take a prominent part in parlia-
mentary life.
vr@ xx7ryyJTT