THE SOCIALIST CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 481, 14 April 1909, Page 2

THE SOCIALIST CONGRESS.

:■:■; business concluded. :l .The conference of delegates from the various branches of tlio New Zealand Socialist party was resumed yesterday morning, and concluded early in tho afternoon. /'The executivo was autliorised to deal with tlio preparation of a sehemo for tlio conduct of "Tlio Coninimomvenl" journal as the official organ of tlio party, and tho establishment of a printing office. ",A remit from Dunedin: "That tins body can . only subscribe* to tho principle fo compulsory arbitration in. labour disputes as a remedy against tlio evils of the capitalist system, when tho Act includes such /actors of reform as will ultimately lead to the economic and social emancipation of tho wealth-producers by tho organisation of Labour and Capital," was, after considerable discussion, lost, tbo clauso iii tho constitution, referring to arbitration, being reaffirmed as at present expressed. It was decided that, when'necessary, a second ballot bo taken with regard to tho elections of all officials. The numerical representation of brandies at (-lift Socialist Congress.'was decided upon in tlio following proportion:—lter branches liavflig SO or less financial members, 0110 delegate; over 50 and under 150, two delegates.; over ISO and under 300, three delegates?; over 300, four delegates. A oicsolulion was carried _ affirming tlio urgent, necessity of consolidating tho forces of "Labour, that united action; wliou neccssary.oipo secured. , ■ ■ A ( remit from Dunedm: <— "That tlio MiStato nationalise tho currency, abolish, -tho gold standard, private banking institutions, and issue papor currency guaranteed, I\V tho State 1 ' was rejected in favour of a refi!>lution in favour of a.State Bank having liiho solo right of note issue. • ■'_ Tlio fiaxmilling question was introduced in a remit [from Palmersten north:—"That this rfwiieroneo supports tho demand of tho abgvo union for a lteyal Commission to take evidence and inquire generally into tlio question' of flax royalties and their effect on tho industry and on tho workers engaged therein." ~, . , A statewpjit (reported in tlio press in January last) by Mr. Stanscll was quoted. Mr'. Stanscll ha,d"icoiitended that tho royalties imposed hadhkilled the llaxinilling industry. It was stated(tjiat a rise of £4 per ton on tho current prioo of hemp would result in topercent, of tho jncrciiso being appropriated by tho owners of flax lauds. Tlio remit was adopted, forwarded to tho Government for consideration.. Tlio coiifcrcnco resolved:— "That tliifJ.purty affirms its pronounced and maturo conviction that tho restrictions placed •upon civil, servants by Civil Service regulations, prohibiting them from taking part in tho politics of;tho country, are directly opposed to the-ipiiinciplcs of Socialism and tho freedom of j|js.t,citizens." _ It was dcquled that no special conference-' of delegates woujd bo arranged except on tho ■requisition ofcj at least one-fourth of the existing brandies,of tho Now Zealand Socialist party. i,h rl „ The following, wore elected as the Executive Committed—Messrs. Purchase, Stewart, Jones, AYhitUftj Hatcher, Itobertson, and Wliittakcr. v; i .„,,,,• n < Tho next eoii/cr<inco will bo held in Dimodin, at a date fftbi) fixed later.