NEW SOUTH WALES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14974, 22 May 1914, Page 7

NEW SOUTH WALES.

A NEW LABOUR PARTY

By Cable,—Press Association.—Copyright.)

SYDNEY, May 21

Tho now Trades Union Political Party has issued the first instalment of its programme. Among its planks is a forty-tour hours week, with a minimum wage of sixty shillings. Tho party desires a referendum on the question of tho abolition of tho Legislative Council.

There is a good deal about this new party in the Sydney papers by yesterday's mail. Tho "Herald" oi Saturday says:—

In view of the dissatisfaction which exists in sorao trade union circles, a good deal of interest attaches to the Premier's appearance beforo tho Labour Council next Thursday night. When Labour was returned to power with a good working majority, Mr Holman told delegates that some of the legislation which they might expect first might como last. At the same time he intimated that tho Ministry would not keep back any legislation that would be regarded as attractive for tho next campaign. Ho said, too, that ho real-, iscd tho responsibilities of his position, and did not want any application of "tho pin" from those who wero within the movement. Now, however, that these sections of Labour are becoming restless and comparing tho deeds of this Ministry with thoso or tho ono that preceded it, tho question is being quietly asked if Labour is to retain its "window dressing," or "sell the goods." A pronouncement of somo definite kind is looked for in respect to the Legislative Council, the Eight Hours' Bill, and tho Fair Rents Bill among other matters. Meanwhile, the few promoters of the "Trades Union Party" are actively engaged in propaganda work, and tho Socialists are apparently ready to cooperate with them. A meeting of tho executivo of the city branch of the Railway Workers and General Labourers' Association has been convened for Tuesday night for the purpose of preparing the draft of a "platform." Some suggestioas have already been made. Ono is that only wage-earners should belong to tho party. Another is that there should be a strong land Eolioy. Another, again, is that 44 ours a week—accepted yesterday by tho High Court in the builders' labour*ors' case—should be made universal. A proposition which also finds favour, in some quarters, is that tho State should provide support for workmen permanently disabled by accident while following thoir daily avocations. The platform will,, it is said, bo mado so stringent that only wage-earners will ibo allowed to hold office.

"The men who are behind this scheme," said one of the promoters, "are a determined lot, and they are those, too, who havo been acting in Labour organisation and Socialistic interests for many years. They had hoped to achieve their objects, but now they recognise that they have been on tho* wrong track."