OUR SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10973, 12 June 1903, Page 6

OUR SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

Mr H. H. Asquith, M.P., speaking at ; the annual meeting of the Land Law Be--form Association at the Westminster Palace. Hotel,' said England was* importing from abroad vast quantities of food, a considerable portion of which, it was no exaggeration to say, could, under happier conditions be produced at home. In both urban and rural districts there was overcrowding and huddling together of human beings, and a lack of those decent facilities of accommodation for purposes of social and domestic life without which it was impossible far individuals or communities to lead a rational, humano, or civilised existence. It was a fact, and he would say a most \ scandalous fact, that the condition of things j over a large port of the country had not improved since the days of the Labor Commission, some twelve or fourteen years ago. Legislation had been woefully ineffective, and largely, so because the action of the representatives oft' the community was too much fetterett. v ,* Proceeding, Mr ( . Asquith said that ',privatp and voluntary effort was totally inadequate • tp' "deal witn tho question, and- in any legislation -he advised a simplification of authorities and concentration of responsibilities, an extension of the comp'ulsorv powers of the local aiithorities, greater elasticity in the terms of repayment of loans, and- tin*' raising of the land limit to one acre. Uuloss wo. could secure for our population, both in the country and in the tbwnVlihe possibilities of a decent home, wo might educate our children as much'-ns we liked," aM fit-ill/ leave unsolved one-pfthe/creiitesl social difficulties I that ever faced- try. (Loud applause.) ' ' . ' \' " , ' . c