LARGE FAMILIES.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 4730, 15 June 1911, Page 1 (Supplement)

LARGE FAMILIES.

Three thousand men, women, and children of the working classes assembled on the Esplanade des Invalidcs in Paris on a recent afternoon 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 Government 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 numerous children. The attempt to form u procession was preceded by a speech fioni the president of the league. Captain Mure, father of eleven, who voiced the claims of its 400,000 adherents of fathers of three or more children. They demanded, among other things, he said, a reduction in income tax at the birth of a fourth child; that every seventh child he brought up and educated at the expense of the State; and that all unskilled labour should be reserved for 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 his refusing to do so, the Prefect ordered him to he taken into custody. The arrest evoked angry protest, and shouts of “Liberty" and “Long live the Red Flag!” The police dispersed the people without any trouble. In the meanwhile delegates of the league had proceeded to the Minister of the Interior, where they were received by M. Mom’s, the Premier, who promised to consider their demands.