SOCIALISTS' IN CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 480, 13 April 1909, Page 6

SOCIALISTS' IN CONFERENCE.

/ . ———♦ PRINCIPLES OF THE PARTY. The Easter Conference of tie New Zealand Socialist party was commenced in the Socialsts' Hall yesterday, Mr. J. Purchase presidng The following delegates were present: Itessrs. Horner,' "Mason, Auckland; W. P. Slack, Huntly; A.'S. Richards, Hartcher, H. 2olona, Wang'anui; D. Stewart, Clive; G. Ross, iongotea; J. Whittle, J. Robertson, Palmeriton North; F. Cooke, F. Bartram, Christihurchj M'Cutcheon, M'Carthy, Dunedin; P. C, iVebb, Runanga; S. , J. Green, Blackball; J. 3reslaw, Denniston; J. Purchase, B. Clay. H, H; Fitzgerald, Mitonnell, S. G. Jones, Mrs. klason,' Wellington; W. Cload, Petone; Whit;aker, Ellis, Nelson; Peers, Blackball. GENERAL BUSINESS. The nama "New Zealand Socialist Party" was retained. ' The objects of the party were altered tt ■ecd: "The establishment in New Zealand ol l co-operative commonwealth, founded on the localisation of the means of production,. disribution, and exchange." A discussion took place on the principles ol he party, about which there was a difference if opinion. "There is," said a delegate, "t endency to create a new Messiah out of Marx kVhat is the use of a Socialist who is working >n a capitalist paper?" It was decided to retain the principles, thi ixst being made to read as follows: "Thi >resent form of society rests upon 'private iwnership of land and the machinery (tools) oi iroduction." ' The question of the identification of the part 3 rith Liberal and Labour , federations and th( hades' Councils came up for discussion. A delegate remarked that he had no use foi ;he "wollipops" called "Labour members." NATIONAL ORGANISATION. A Palmerston North delegate moved that thi larty be organised into, say, five departments vith provincial executives and headquarters a Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin ind Westport. Mr. Robertson said that for a long timi heir organisation was non-existent. The matter was ruled out of order, as th< iubject had been previously dealt with. POLITICAL POLICY. To secure uniformity of action at genera tactions, the Palmerston North delegat noved: "That, as to the political policy of th jartv, a referendum be taken ,of all member ii the Dominion prior to the elections to dc side what action, if any, the party ehouli :ake. An Auckland delegate said that the proposa ivas too cumbersome, and that suoh actioi should be referred to the conference. The remit was lost by 375 to 373 votes. A discussion took place on the remit: "Tha :he National Executive draw up a fighting poli tical platform for the party, and that it b nade the subject of a referendum." Mr. Joms: As an old Socialist, I oppose this SVe need no fighting platform; we have bee: ighting for years, and we cannot enclose ou platform in a 6ort of hencoop. A Palmerston North delegate remarked tha i large number of peoplo in his district wer farmers, and actively opposed to Socialism, a ;hey thought it meant confiscation of thel land. "If you can help us to meet the argt nents of the Farmers' Union, you will help u ?reatly in our district." The remit was adopted. ORGANISERS. It was moved: "That all organisers or le< iurors travelling from ono branch to anothe mail be endorsed by the executive, and n branch- shall have power to select or enconi ige any travelling lecturers unless they produc papers from tho executive." Mr. Colona gave expression to a complain igainst self-appointed lecturers. "We do nc aiow," ho said, "whether we should suppoi :hemor not. They call themselves Socialist but we want to prevent friction." He cor sluded by hinting about some painful exper jnces in the past in this connection r ¥ r ' K ?i r ? ar^ie, M -?- LDader of the B««s Labour Party forwarded a letter of greetinj ind the hope that the venture to form a defii ite Socialist party would bo a huge success The remit was adopted. The conference adjourned until this mornini