SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13873, 6 October 1908, Page 5

SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

MR. ASQUITH ON REFORM. A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Received October. 5, 10.48 p.m.) . London, October 5. Mr. Asquith, the Prime Minister, addressing a gathering of 4000 electors at Earlston, Berwickshire, said the land question was only part of the wider and more complex social problem of how to mitigate the glaring anomalies of modern society, whilst also stimulating and not stifling individual energy and initiative. '■■'■.'. The Government was, he said, compelled by the exigencies of political machinery to proceed piecemeal with the work of reform. Old age pensions were only a step* towards a comprehensive scheme dealing with the allied -problems concerning the workers. - Under existing economic conditions, the Prime Minister proceeded, they would never wholly get rid of unemployment, but wise legisla- i tion could reduce its area and make permanent provision against extraordinary emergencies. By the Licensing Bill the Government hoped to diminish the facilities for intemperance, and by land legislation they sought to check the constant efHux of. population from the country to towns. He defended the Scottish Land Bill as. sound in principle. " HELP FOR UNEMPLOYED. DEMONSTRATION IN LONDON. (Received October 5, 10.48 p.m.) <• London, October 5. An unemployed demonstration was held at Trafalgar Square yesterday afternoon, upwards of 4000 participating. Mr. Stewart Grant, one of the: leaders, advised a march to Windsor I Park, and suggested that a number j should sit down in the square until | moved on, as a protest against the' injustices of society. A number did so-,' but at sunset the police scattered the crowd and arrested seven, including Mr. Grant, despite some ugly rushes in an attempt to rescue them." ' : I