LABOUR "UNITY."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1748, 13 May 1913, Page 4

LABOUR "UNITY."

COMING CONFERENCE IN JULY. Now that tho elections are out of the way, tho two sections of tho Labour party are free to discuss tho coming conference in July, which is to bo called to discuss a basis upon which the rival factions may he united. This meeting, to which delogates from all trado unions are invited, is being held in aeeordanco with tho resolution of the coiiierenee which met in tho "Maorilaud Worker" officein January, at y which a "Basis of Unity," ior tho "United Federation of Labour and Social Democratic Party"—which the iederationists persuaded tho delegates was the proper name to call tho proposed new party of Unity—was adopted. A few unions have already decided not to ho represented at tho July Conference, and ti few others have appointed delesaks iiml instructed them to support nothing but tho platform of the United Labour Party. It is probable that many morn unions, especially unions of skilled workers, will similarly instruct their repre. sentaiives, or will (iccidc simply uot to bo represented at all. , Already rumours arc in circulation as to the probable oiitcoino of the meeting. It is said, for instance, that some of tho United Labour Party men who seemed to swallow the Federation's syndicalist doctrines at tho January conference, liavo recanted to an extent, and that they wilt now vote to retain the old Unity Party s constitution and platform. It is stated c\en that the arbitration delegates will be ill a majority at the conference, and that Messrs. Somple, Webb, Hickey, and Co. will bo out-voted. Whatever happens, however,the conterenco will not extinguish the l:edcration of Labour. Such, at least, is tho general opinion, but in default of the necessary evidence as to the intentions of the general body of unionists, the possibility is still open that tho Federntionis!? will assimilate all but an inconsiderable residue of the United Labour Parly.