From Crow-Scaring to Westminster: An AutobiographyEdwards, George, Sir
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From Crow-Scaring to Westminster: An Autobiography
Edwards, George, Sir
George Edwards, 1850-1933
If the land is to be brought back into a proper state of
cultivation and be made to produce all the food it is capable of,
then the farmer must have security of tenure. I should, however,
insist on proper cultivation of land and the employment of a
sufficient number of efficient labourers to do so. In order to
enforce this I should place even more drastic power in the hands of
the Agricultural Councils than they now possess.
ELEVATION OF WOMANHOOD.
I am in favour of the immediate establishment of a pensions scheme
for all widows with dependent children; the endowment of motherhood
and the extension of the franchise to women as it is or may be
granted to men.
HOUSING QUESTION.
The prompt carrying through of a comprehensive national measure of
housing, the local authorities being everywhere required to make
good the whole of the existing shortage in well-planned,
well-built, commodious and healthy homes for the entire population,
assisted by National Exchequer grants sufficient in amount to
prevent any charge falling on the local rates.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE RIGHT TO WORK.
I should use every endeavour to secure the right to work for all.
Industry must be organized to provide for opportunities of service
for all. Failing such a system full maintenance must be guaranteed
by the State. I favour drastic amendments to the Insurance Acts.
EX-SERVICE MEN.
The Government have treated the sailors and soldiers and their
dependants with meanness. The Labour Party is pledged to just and
generous treatment to all ex-service men with regard to pensions,
medical and surgical treatment, reinstatement in civil employment
at Trade Union rates of wages, and complete security against
involuntary unemployment. Owing to the rising cost of living I
should press for an immediate increase on present pension rates.
OLD AGE PENSIONS.
There must be such a revision of pension rates and ages for
eligibility for old age pensions as would enable the recipients to
live in decency and comfort.
CONCLUSION.
I appeal, as a Norfolk man, for your support on the grounds of the
long public service I have rendered to the people by my work on
many public authorities, especially during the last five years.
Should you do me the honour of returning me as your member I will
continue to work in this new sphere in the interests of the great
toiling masses to which I belong, and in whose interests all the
best years of my life have been given.
Yours very sincerely,
GEORGE EDWARDS.
WYMONDHAM,
_July 1920._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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