The Liberals and Unemployment One explanation of the marked indulgence
of the Liberals towards the Government is that they have noir hopes of getting the Government to grant a large loan for development works on Liberal lines. A few days ago it was said that a definite bargain had been made, but this was hardly borne out by Mr. Snowden's statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday. He said that the Government had no idea of "promoting a public loan and then devising means of spending it." Their policy was to consider favourably every proposal, and when any was approved the money would certainly be found. This is common sense. There are- many schemes of development which can be most -opportunely undertaken during a depression in order that the nation may have the right apparatus for putting forth its full working strength when good times return. It is said that a good deal of pressure inside the Cabinet has been applied to Mr. Snowden. The only thing which can safely be said at present is that this affair may turn out dangerously for the Government, because the Unionists could hardly refrain from voting against the Government on their unemployment record. It may be an interesting occasion, therefore,, when the Liberal resolution for a large . development loan . is moved, even though the Unionists may not agree exactly with the Liberal proposals. The Unionists, however, may be able to precede the Liberals with a motion of their own which will in effect be a vote of censure. The subject will be national economy.
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