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THE UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM.
DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME MINIS
TER.
SCHEME OF NATIONAL INSURANCE.
Melbourne, November 16.
Mr. Carty Salmon, M.H.R., to-day intro
duced to the Prime Minister a deputation
representing the Anglican Synod, which sub
mitted certain resolutions on the unemploy
ed problem.
Archbishop Clarke, in addressing Mr.
Deakin, stated that there was nothing hys
terical in the proposals which the deputation
desired to bring forward. "We realise only
too well," said his Grace, "that some people
are unhappily unemployable, and also that
indiscriminate charity does little, if any,
good. We desire to approach this knotty
problem in a Christian and economic spirit.
The existence of unemployment is in itself
a disgrace to our civilisation and to the
Commonwealth, and the remedy which has
presented itself to us is that the Govern
ment should inaugurate a scheme of na
tional insurance against unemployment."
Mr. Deakin, in reply, said: "It will be
necessary for this question to become a
Federal matter. (Hear, hear.) If, for ex
ample, one State only of the Commonwealth
were to adopt a scheme of insurance against
unemployment, such an influx of unemploy
ed would flock to that State from the others
that it would find itself saddled with a
heavy and an unfair burden. I am glad that
this deputation has not come forward with
a scheme either cut or dried, or both, or
neither. (Laughter.) The present strength
of Germany is greatly due to her socia,
legislation, helped on by Bismarck and the
blood-and-iron policy. The Federai Govern
ment is interesting itself in the question,
which will need to be carefully gone over.
The scheme will cost a great deal of money.
I hope for great assistance from all the
States and from the municipalities, while
you, gentlemen, have already assured me
of your co-operation. I may say, in con
clusion, that the Government hopes next' ses
sion to introduce a Bill dealing with the
whole question of unemployment, and I
think that I can promise that a Bill deal
ing with insurance against unemployment
will be introduced in 1910."
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