LABOUR PLATFORM.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 877, 25 July 1910, Page 6

LABOUR PLATFORM.

• VIEWS OF LABOB-R MEMBERS. INTERESTING CKITICISH, tome interesting opinions in regard to the new platform adopted by the New : Zealand Labour party as the result of ■ ' tho conference at Auckland liftvo been elicited by a Dojiinion reporter from members of the House in sympathy ivith the aims-of that political' section. Alr. : J. F. Arnold, M.P. for Dunedin Central, said that it was difficult to ex- ; press an opinion on a platform of between ■ twenty and thirty sections, and tho platform did notVbear fully upop the question of 'greatest interest, viz., what the , future of . the Labour party in New Zealand was to be. It was not possible to ; have a platform of the length of that adopted, every plank of which, one could agreo with. It was a fact, however, that at several elections Olago sent, three or, four members to Parliament who were pledged to a. platform somewhat similar co tho one -which-had been adopted by . the Auckland- Conference. Mr. Arnold . said that, ill viow of the proximity of tho general election, ho had visited Auckland during the time this platform was under consideration, and lie was . favourably impressed with the manner 111 Vhich the business had been conducted, and on the whole' !he result hail S°°d. ■ Such terms as "independent, Socialisation," and "nationalisation," used m any c-bieotionabe sense, had been dropped. In liis opinion, if -a reasonable pledge for ■ candidates , was adopted, together with a fair constitution, the Labour party - Would at the next general election have a greater influence than for years past. Only Qualified Approval. Mr. A. W. Hogg, Masterton, gavo only fc qualified approval to the platform. I am -,afraid," - he, said,. "that while much of the objective and platform of the Labour party is to be commended, there I n r e portions' that will stir up discord Tather than meet with general concurTencc. For instance, the maintenance of progressive legislation ' and efficient, ad- ' ministration are desirable, but the public ownership of all the means of productiou, distribution, aud exchange must cx- ' cite alarm and opposition. The nationalisation of monopolies of an and 'important, character seems inevitable, but. this . plank would occupy a better position behind land Toform, with, the main features of which I ain m accord. ■ Electoral reform, embracing the abolition of the Legislative Council, the extension, so far'as-.practicable, and convenient, of the Parliamentary franchise .and the abolition of plural voting, seems desirable. In connection with industrial reform, contract labour should be couraged, but tho alteration of existing conditions should only follow very carefnl inquiry if our voung manufactures are ' to have fair play'. Subject to judicious . modifications, for which there, is obvious ' Toorri, the 'platform is fairly strong. ~ Views of ; Mr., M'Laren; "The platform does the members of tho conference very great credit," said-Mr. B. M'Laren, Wellington East. "The ob- ■ jectivo is a sane .and rational exposition of tho real aim of our movement. 11l affirms that we shall maintain the advanced legislation the Dominion already has, and,. what is most, important, 'to insist -upon its sympathetic and. proper administration.'' .Then our purpose is to aim at 'the moral, material, and educational advancement of the whole .people by the.sound:economic policy of gradual public ownership replacing private monopoly.' The nationalisation of monopolies is, I think, the only practical way of replacing or preventing trusts and combines, and the only effective check . on excessivO rent • and prices is that of State • competition,sympathetically administered. Tile affirmations of the platform cover: (1). Electoral reform, (2). land, (3) currency, '(4) taxation, (5) industrial, (G)' educational, and (7) social reforms. I consider that ' the platform is of a. sound national stamp, and makes clear that the Labour party looks to. the best interests of the-mass-of the people. The manner in which the conference, carried. out this part. of its work shows that organised labour is in earnest,, and, in write of all obstacles,': it means business. The platform, of course, does not cover all proposals which will be brought for- . ward from time to time, but'l consider .that what is presented makes material ' claims on behalf of the whole people worth working, and. fighting for. In spite of the demand, .on. specious legal • . precedent, that: organised. labour shall not take' part in politics, the conference, by adopting this platform, shows that Labour ■ is going' to take a larger share in politics than ever in'the past."