IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2314, 6 October 1908, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

A GREAT SOCIAL PROBLEM

THE PRIME MINISTER’S REMARKS.

United Pi;ess Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 5, 10.10 p.m.)

LONDON, Oct. 5. The Prime Minister (Mr. H. 11. Asquith) addressing an audience ot 4000 at Ear Is ton, Berwickshire, said that the land question was.only part of the wider and more complex social problem of how to mitigate the glaring anomalies of modern sooietv, whilst- also stimulating and not; stilling individual energy and initiative. The Government was compelled, by the exigencies of political machinery, to proceed piecemeal with the work ot •reform. The old ago pensions were ordv a step toward the comprehensive and complete dealing with allied problem concerning the workers, Laulei the existing economic conditions, -Great Britain would never wholly get rid of unemployment, but wise legislation could reduce its area and m ike permanent provision against extraordinary emergencies. I3y the lacensine Bill the Government hoped to diminish the- facilities for intemperance, and bv the land legislation it sought to check the constant effluxion of population from the country to the towns. He defended the Scottish ■Lind Bill as being sound in principle.