New Britain herald., 1924-01-15
Much Incn,pIorment.

While 1 am glad to note that the
 schemes for providing employment
 now in operation had an appreciable
 effect during last year in reducing the number of those actually unemployed,
 the number still unable to find work
 causes me grave concern. My minis 1 ters recently laid before the country l proposals which in their judgment ! would have contributed materially to 1 the solution of this problem by af- 1 fording to industry q greater measure of security in the home market and | an improved outlet for it's products 1 in my domiaions overseas and in for
 eign countries, but these proposals were not accepted by the country. Tn these circumstances your assent will be inynted to an extension and amendment of the trade facilities and export credit schemes. to the propo- sal of the imperial economic confer ence for expediting and assisting in the execution of certain public enter rrises throughout the empire by the grant Of financial and from the pub lie funds. and to an extension of the contributions towards the cost of pub lie utility work, whether undertaken by local authorities or promoted by statutory and private corporations
 Naval Program.
 You will also be asked to assist in providing work in the shipbuilding industry by the immediate construc- ton of cruisers and auxiliary craft in anticipation Of the naval program.
 Steps will be taken to develop ;he existing system of juvenile unemploy- ment centers and provide increased facilities for general and technical ed ucation.
 "The conditnon Of agriculture re- mains a source of serious anxiety. and my ministers propose 10 summon a conference representative of all those interested in agriculture and of the various political parties with the object of arriving at an agreed policy whereby the acreage of arabic land may be maintained ad regular employment at an adequate wage &c., cured for the agricultural worker.
 Bills will be introduced to improve the position of the pre-war pension CTS and to deal with the discourage ment of thrift involved in the present means of limitation to the grant of old age pensions. /
 You will be asked to develop the probationary system of dealing with ! offenders.
 Bills will be introduced to amend l and consolidate the factory and work shops act, to legitimatize children i born out of wedlock whose parents | subsequently, married, and to amend | the law in relation to separation and | orders.
 Measures will be laid before you to complete the land purchase in northcr Ireland and to guarantee the principal and interest of the bonds is- sued by the government of the Irish Free State under the land act recent ly passed in that dominion. The obli- gation to alleviate the hardship caused by the former disturbances in Ireland is one which is recognized hy my government and will continue to engage their active attention.
 Stronger Air Force.
 Proposals will be submitted 10 you for tho expansion of the Royal Air Force in connection with home de- ftnsc.'
 Preparations also has been made for measures dealing with the prop erty and endowments of the church of Scotland, for tho improvement of the road traffic of London, for the reform of the system of valuation ard rating in England and Wales and of the rating in seotland; for tho inn provement Of the administration of ,ivil, and criminal justice. For mak- ng valid certain charges imposed turing the war. and for the ascer- ainmcnt Of the costs and profits in with the distribution of nllk,"