SOCIAL AND SEQUEL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1412, 12 April 1912, Page 4

SOCIAL AND SEQUEL.

LABOUR ALONE, LTREKALS AGAIN REPUDIATED. A somewhat remarkable feature of th« "social" at which the local Labour bodies entertained visiting delegates on Wednesday evening was the preponderance of "Liberal" speakers. In fact, Labour and ils affairs were for the limo being overshadowed. The arronge'monts for speakers and the, issuing of invitations in connection with tho "social" led to a brief but pointed discussion at tho Labour Pari/ Conference, yesterday. Professor Alills introduced the subject by moving;"That this conference sincerely regrets the occurrence of last night and tho miforhiiiale position into which tho delegates were unwillingly placed, and suggests a joint resolution of both bodies on the le-assembly of the Unity • Conference." Air. ,T. A. M'Cullough hoped the corn ference would support tho motion. Tlw matter must be, discu'wo.) at the Unity Conference, lie therefore thought i'l would be well for the Labour party to deal with the question now in tho'way proposed.' Professor Alills said the question of lh« invitations to tho "social" and (he draw, ing up of the toast list would be sum tc come up for discussion at the Unity Conference. The resolution he had 'moved simply affirmed the dissent of the I.aboui party in reference to the points he had indicated. The chairman (Air. W. 17. Hampton) said ho was in full accord with the terms of the motion, and he thought it would be wise if tho conference adopted it. The* attitude of the United Labour Party of New Zealand to other bodies should go forth in unmistakable terms, and their relationship In all other Labour parties should be mado clear. AVith reference to last night's "social." he might say he wn» not on the committee which organised tho arrangement of tho programme of th« "social." lie had always stood for on independent attitude on the part of Labour. He had sometimes got into hot water in consequence. He would never depart from the nltitude he had always taken up. H« had affirmed, and would continue to affirm, that (he line of action of the parly in the political field must lie absolutely free, independent, and untrammelled by any obligation, whether verbal or written, with any of the political parties in the Dominion.

Mr. D. M'Laron said that so far as (lint nartv was concerned, they wero absolutely clear of sending out the invitations to the "sneinl." They hn.il right through agreed that Dio New Zealand Labour Party should bo absolutely and entirely apart from nnv oilier party. Professor Mills said tho arrangement* n't last night's "social" had placed him in a false positirn.

The motion was carried without dispell f.

Further reference was made to tho matter when the Unity Conference met yesterday. 'I'lio discussion was taken in committee, but (ho following resolution was handed out for miblication:—

"That the Unity Conferenco seriously regrets fhi! occurrences of last (Wednesday) night, and tho unfortunate position which its delegates were placed in, inajmuch as they were made to appear to b» in some way in alliance with the lenrosenlntives of tho Liberal party present at tho 'smoke social' tendered to the delerates "f the Labour party and Trades Councils' Conferences. This Uuilv Conference hereby declares that its position i« oho of absolute independence from thf Liberal and Conservative parties."