LABOUR POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1450, 27 May 1912, Page 3

LABOUR POLITICS.

' A PLEA FOR UNIFICATION. A deputation from the United Labour Party, consisting of the Hon. ,T. T. Paul, M.L.C., and Mr. J. Robertson, M.P., was received on Saturday by the Federation of Labour Conference. Mr. t Paul said that they came to try and link up Labour into one organisation, and, if they could not no so, to arrive at an understanding on certain points. Nearly two years ago amalgamation had been discussed without agrcos ment. Since then tho machinery of the Labour Party had been considerably sl- ' tered, and it now liad a constitution nd--1 mirably suited to workers' requirements. | The constitution provided for industrial and political organisation along the lines |of industry. He had no doubt but that the most extreme moil could come I into the party and preach what they bel lieved._ It was proposed to set up centres 'of activity and amalgamate as many small unions as possible. He urged delegates to come right in and make one great movement. Ho cnuld not see why ministers of religion and lawyers should not have the right to subscribe to the principles of the United Labour Party. Mr. Robertson said that he had 'not changed his adhesion to tho principle's of Socialism and industrial unionism. He- \ deprecated the personal recriminations ' which had marred their movement, and , ventured to prcdict that the conference f would decide upon political action. The federation's platform, he contended, , could not essentially differ from that of tho United Labour Party. There was . developing in New Zealand a peasantry , akin to that of other countries, and because the Labour Party found a place I'or this peasantry he had thrown in his lot with the party. The speakers were questioned upon their party's attitude during the Auckland trouble, as to their party's repudiation of the class war, upon arbitration and the strike, whether industrial amalgamation was possible without endorsement of political platforms, and if It was not dangerous to have a party made up of opposing economic interests. These and other questions were courteously replied to. The deputation was thanked for ils attendance.