LABOUR AND POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 574, 31 July 1909, Page 13

LABOUR AND POLITICS.

THE PROPOSED NEW PARTY.,' LESSONS OF THE PAST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, July 30. At a Labour meeting held to-night it was decided to fortn a New Zealand Labour party, having for its main planks land nationalisation and a State noto 'issue, A motion Was carried recommending the executive to include as one of the planka cf the platform the nationalisation of the means Of production, distribution, and exchange, the Socialist party baying , intimated that they would not join forces unless this were done.

Mr. J. Kneen, secretary of' the Auckland branch of' the Australasian Federated Sea-, men's Union, interviewed to-day with reference ' to tno pit) posed Labour party, remarked:—

"It seems to me that this new movement is falling into the same error as similar organisations, such as the Political Labour 'League here in'the past, winch have been ushered in witli much eclat, and after a rocket-like career have tamely fizzled out. The past few years. baVe seen a phenomenal crop of unions.spring up like mushrooms in a night. These new unions are' spoon-fed and pampered from their birth, and their infant nurture is more in the nature of sop than strong meat. They seem to trust their leaders ana officials implicity in all matters connected With the administration of union business, bllt" when the same men appeal to them as candidates for some public, office, tho ; rank and file scoiii to get scared at once, and the magnificent number of'unionists on paper disappears to insignificant figures when: the poll is declared, aiid the 'unfortunate official Labour candidate finds himself at the bottom of tho poll, and probably upset with , a lost '■ deposit." 'Accounting; ; for this state of affairs,' Mr.' Kneen said that it seemed that the trades unionist either had no Confidence in 'their leaders: as political candidates, ox else they were satisfied with the present conditions and the present Government. . He was sure that the unionists who had any of the old spirit ;of unionism in them were, absolutely dissatisfied, and would very soon show it if only candidates could be found who commanded their respect and ooßfidence. Their members Were not satisfied ■ with the personnel of ! the present Cabinet. There'was no'real difference <in | principle between Mr. Massey and Mr. Tom Mackenzie. '