LABOUR CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1045, 7 February 1911, Page 5

LABOUR CONGRESS.

AN EXCITED DEBATE. PROPOSED REFORM OF INTER-STATE • CONFERENCE. Uy Telccrauh—Press Association-Copyright. Sydney, February 6. Mr. Holman's resolution that the Interstate Conference, 1 which draws up tho Federal Labour platform, ought'to bo reconstituted ou a population basis, and that tho conferenco elected ou tho present basis should do nothing but carry out such recdnstitution, caused an cxcitwl flutter at the Labour Congress. Ho declared it would be an injustico to thoso Labour movements which might be in a minority to'have to bo bound to a platform in which : 'thcy had co hand, arid their tlolegatcs outvoted by the delegate of other States. New South Wales sent six delegates, and Tasmania, Western Australia, and South Australia together eighteen. On important questions of policy, which might raako or mar a movement, New South Wales, which might bo tho body and bones of a movement, could be outvoted by less important States. Ho strongly ufged tho necessity for representation cfy a population basis. Unless they could sco tho inter-State conference reformed, he was afraid they wonld have to step outside the labour movement. A heated debate followed, one delegate calling for "cheers for Holman, a traitor to Australia." AN' EXCITING DEBATE.'' : ' r ' (Rec. February 7, 0.50 a.m.) Sydney, February 6. The Labour Congress held a late sitting, the excitement running high. There was a warm debate, Mv. Holman's motion carried on Saturday in favour of tho Inter-State Conference, which draws up tho Federal Labour platform, .being reconstituted oil a population basis, wa3 rescinded. Mr. Holman's further motion that the Labour movement opposes any further extension of power to the Federal Parliament until the Constitution is reorganised on lines which will secure Parliamentary supremacy was ruled out of order. Tho Australian Workers* Conferenco adopted a motion asking Mr. Holman to withdraw from the Labour Government, • and forwarded! it to the Congress, which; however, did not deal with it. VIEWS OF FEDERAL MINISTERS. (Rec. February 6, 11.30 p.m.) Melbourne, Fobruary 6. Federal Ministers do not approve of Mr. Holman's proposal to alter tho composition of future inter-State Labour conferences. Mr. Fisher considers Mr. Holman's scheme is only a recommendation to the forthcoming conference at Hpbart. However, any change, ho says, cannot af-, feet the present Parliament. Regarding the constitution Mr. Fisher takes . the view that it cau be amended from time to time according to the intelligence of tho • people.