LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 876, 23 July 1910, Page 10

LABOUR CONFERENCE.

STATE INDUSTRIES. THE LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT SYSTEM. • (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! Auckland, July 22. At the Trades and Labour Conference to-day h was decided to support a holiuuy for miuors, as proposed in Mr.' Guinness's Bill; that tho Government bo urged to bring in a Fair Rent Bill and a Proportional Representation Bill. Tho conference- supported a State ferry servicq between Wellington and Lytrelton, and a State bank with solo right of note issuo. The Gisborne delegate (Mr. Lone) moved: "That tho Government be urged to suppress the exploitation of the mosses by ostaWisiiing State industries connected with the main necessities of life." Tho motion was carried after the mover had agreed to make tho following addition suggested by the Canterbury delegates: "That tlio Government be asked to establish genuine reproductiva model farms, also an up-to-date coop factory or works in each important industry such as may be registered for tho purposo of checking excessive importations, increasing employment, and the absorption of surplus labour, the- industries that havo becomes monopolies and thoso that are being lost to the State through execssivo importation to receive first attention." Mr. D. G.' Sullivan (Canterbury) moved: '.'That as the lands for settlement system is creating u reactionary force in politics in. connection with the demand by Crown tenants for the freehold, this conference express an opiuion that it is in tho best interests of tho workers that tho system ho abolished, and that the land be farmed directly by tho State, the produce to bo retailed in town and country depots at a price that will cover cost of production and capital charges." The mover said that the opposition offered by his council to tho lands for settlement system was based upon the faet that they in Now Zealand had been using State credit to place speculators rather than cultivators upon tho land. Given provision for the retention of the land by tlio Government! for the nationalisation of tho food supply, and reversion to a State of socially-created land values,, both of the principles now embodied in the adopted platform of tho Canterbury Council would bo satisfied. The motion was seconded by Mr. E. <T. Howard (Canterbury) and carried. Mr.. T. O'Byrnne (Southland) moved: "That tho Government bo urged to establish State saw-mills,' timber and firewood yards in suitablo localities so as to ohcapen building material and cause more work in tho Dominion.". Tlio mover said that the operations of timber rings and sawmillers' associations had caused tho price of timber to increase 100 per cent, in 10.years. Wages had not increased a tenth' of that amount. The motion was carried. Mr. Savage tabled tho recommendations of the • committee set up to consider the question of providing additional facilities for workers to secure thoroughly economio education. The committee strongly affirmed the prinuiplo of. education by means of lectures, etc., and urged that all trades' unions should assist in furthering tho object. Tho report was adopted. . Mr. O'Byrnne moved:, "That- this conference strongly urge upon the Government to maintain tho co-operation system in their public works policy." Mr. Sullivan moved as an amendment to provide that publio works be, carried out. by day labour instead of. on' the present co-operation system. The question was undor discussion \v.hqu,t}ie. conference adjourned until to-morrow.