LARGE FAMILIES.

Mataura Ensign, 26 May 1911, Page 5

LARGE FAMILIES.

DEMON STRATI OX STOPP FD. Three thousand men, women and children of the working classes assembled on the Esplanade des lnvalides on April 9 in order to take part in the procession organised by the Large Families League to draw attention to its claims, but at the eleventh hour the French (ioveriimeut prohibited the demonstration. Many of the fathers, mothers and children had come from the provinces specially for the occasion. All were dressed in their "Sunday clothes," and the fathers showed pride in looking after the womenfolk and the children. The attempt to form a procession was preceded by a speech from the president of the league, Captain Mare (father of eleven), who voiced the claims of its 100,000 adherents of lathers of three or more children. They demanded, among other things, ho said, a reduction in income tax at the birth of a fourth child ; that every seventh child bo brought up and educated at the expense of the State; and that all unskilled labor shall be reserved for the fathers of large families. Before the speaker had proceeded further he was interrupted by M. Lepine, the Prefect of Police, who requested him to discontinue his discourse. On ill's refusing to do so the Prefect ordered him to be taken into custody. The arrest evoked angry protests and shouts of "Libertv!" and "Long live the lied l'*ag!" T1 ie police dispersed the people without any trouble, in tfie meanwhile delegates of the league had proceeded to the Ministry of the Interior, where they were received by M. Mouis, the Premier, who promised to consider their demands.