Scientists Care For social Evils.
Is it possible to reconstruct society on*a scientific basis ? This, was the portentous queetion discussed by Sir Oliver Ledge in hia presidential address to the members of the Social Political Education League of University College. The custom of allowing absolute ownership of land, he held,,, was responsible for many social evils,, and to him it was a most extraordinary * and amazing thing that any man had! the right ti sell a piece of England,.
ine law ot inheritance would also* have to be considered. The idea that,: people might live without working.-, and yet without disgrace, was responsible for much incompetence and some> misery. All should have leisure, but none should be completely idle, save* on pain of starvation or the disciplinary drill of prison.” From mere gem eralising, Sir Oliver passed to specific: constructive reform, and expressed the opinion that the work-houses and jails: should become manufactories of human beings. *‘ Paupers,” said Sir Oliver, “ must be shown how to live, how to work, h*«r to develop their faculties. With regard to the orim-* inal, continued §>.> Oliver Lodge, w@ *?era working on wrong liupß. . We were seeking to punish a,K * pot to reform. ‘‘The existing arbitrary system for the government of gaols,” said the lecturer with refreshing candour, “is a convenient form of pension for officers retired from active service, and a severe military form, of discipline, we appear to hope, may be* the right thing. This is a thoroughly bad and incompetent system of administration from the point of getting any profitable result.
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Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42761, 15 August 1905, Page 2
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259Scientists Care For social Evils. Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42761, 15 August 1905, Page 2
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