U WELFARE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 245, 10 July 1919, Page 5

U WELFARE LEAGUE

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON PLATFORM .OF PARTY DISCUSSED A CALL TO MODERATE MEN A conference of delegates from the branches of the ' reeentiy-formed New /jealand Welfare League was held in the Chamber of Conmu-rco hall yesterday. Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., national president, was in the chair, and the following delegates were present:—Colonel A I''. Roberts (Wellington), Major Lusk (Auckland), Messrs. Gilbert Pearce OVanganui), Durward and A. Whittaker (Palmerston North), E. lvellott and H. l'\ Wright (Dunedin), J. C. Cooper ami \V. J. Tennent (Mastortou), A. Smith, K. 31. and C. 31. Ollivier (Cliristchurch), L. Spencer (Auckland), C. J. Ward, G. I'. Wright, H, 3lainland. J. B. MacEwan, Alex. Macintosh, and J. G. Harkiiess (Wellington), E. H. Williams (Hastings and Napior), Chadwick and Brown (Dannevirke).

Apologies were received from Oamaru, Gore, Ashburton, Nelson, and Motueka. A number of visitors attended the opening of tho conference. In welcoming the delegates, Mr. Skerrett said lie was sure they would be gratified to hear that the objects of the league had met with general approval. It was the sort of .organisation desired by people who were fettered to no party.

President's Address, The president, in his opening address, Baid that, the object of the league was to oppose revolutionary and extreme doctrines aiming, at the destruction of private rights, and to promote stable government and the general welfare of tho country. Tho organisation had been needed for many years. An important section of the community, consisting of "the plain men," had been practically unrepresented, because they, had lacked unity and organisation. The blamo was largely their own. They liad seen tho government of the country handed over to the warring factions, and the sail? and moderate men must assert themselves now by taking their proper: part in the politics of their country. It was an unfortunate fact, said Mr. Skerrett, that the Labour Party, which was making great strides, had been captured by men with extreme and , revolutionary .views., The, Dominion had . come to the parting of the ways, and the people the league represented must either stand by supinely while their rights were threatened and their property imperilled, or they must stand shoulder to shoulder with the league. "The crisis is emphasised," said Mr. Skerrett, "l>y the purposes and pplitieal aims of the so-called Labour Party. I have no objection, nor can any sano man have any objection, to combinations of Labour for tho purpose of safeguarding their rights and interests, or even to promote their legislative interests, but the. ambitions of trudo unions have long vaulted past that. In former days trade unions were necessary for collective bargaining, but their strength and influence have so grown that they are tho masters of the situation and are able to dictate terms. At the beginning of their history tlioy were brave stragglers, too—for the rights of. Labour, and unquestionably they done rjreat things for their eause, but tho situation lias completely changed. . . . Trade unionism as it is organised by the Labour Party and exists in New Zealand is in command of the situation, and is able to defy, and is defying, the laws of the country." They, had thrown overboard the whole legislative _ and democratic system and relied on direct action, limitation of output, and the go-slow policy to tho grave inconvenience 1 of the country and to people who had no more to do with the dispute in hand than the residents of 3lars. Direct action, however, acted as a b'oomorang, b.ut unfortunately it seemed hard to make those responsible realiso this. Not content 'with direct action ihey now' sought'to control the whole civic and political administration of the country, and were running members for city and .borough councils and for Parliament with the object of governing the, Dominion by ono class in the interests of one class.

Mr. Skerrett pointed out that the men at the head, of the Labour movement in New Zealand had expressed approval of the actions of the Bolsheviki in Russia, and had issued what was \ described <15 a unanimous and. enthusiastic manifesto protesting that the terms of peace imposed on Germany were too severe. A mere handful of men, who had never liad the responsibility of running even a 6mall business, and, who had no firsthand knowledge of foreign affairs, had condemned the decisions of the chief statesmen of tlio Allies. Ho believed that the sentiments expressed in that Labour manifesto were detcstablo. to the country and entirely out of touch with the patriotic feeling that animated the mass of the people. But in saying this he wished it to be understobd that lie was not attempting to reflect upon the rank and file of the workers. Sane Labour, as distinct from tlio extremists how at the head of the party, had done a great \ deal for tho country, and it was certain ) that Labour would take an increasing sliaro in public responsibility in the future. The co-operation.of Labour and Capital on just conditions was essential for the welfare of tho State. Political Programmo. After dealing with other phases of the industrial problem, Mr. Skerrett said that the class which had suffered particularly in recent years had. been the small salaried men, who had been unable to ({increase their incomes. Many of these 'men were absolutely in despair. Unless something were done for these people mo smalt salaried men would become a weapon in tlio hands of the Labour Party, which would use the weapon and then throw it aside. The political programmo of the leaguo was intended to indieato ftc trend of tlio league's aims and aspirations. It was not possible for the league to devise Concrete schemes for the" reconstruction of tho community. Such .reconstruction was a matter of slow growth, aM tho immediate task to lay down general lines of action. Ho would say that hitherto Ministers of the Crown had not had tho benefit of competent advisers in relation many problems The Now Zealand Government was largely a Government of amateurs, and there had been no disposition to call into the councils of the Stale luen who had expert knowledge and experience of tho most difficult, matters now demanding adjustment. Tho direct power of Parliament was gone. ' Practically nil legislative power was. now vested m the Cabinet. Ministers simply presented their Bills to Parliament, arid members passed them, sometimes without discussion, a'«l often without amendment. It was im-

portant to remember, in llhis connection, that, a bad law competently administered often gave better results than a good ir.w badly or indifferently administered. The first point to bo. emphasised . was .the necessity of increased production. Tho Dominion must 'cover the wastage of war hy increased production, or else face retrogression and a crushing burden of taxation. After discussing industrial problems, Mr. Skerrett said nationalisation of industries was not a remedy for industrial difficulties. Stato industry was not efficient as privatp industry. Tim acquisition of industries moreover, required the payment of compensation, and then tho State was expected to pay higher prices for its raw materials and chargo lower prices to its oustomers than any private business. Nationalisation obviously was > no solution of tho labour problem. He submitted that nationalisation of industry should bo adopted only in industries' which vitally affected the health of the community, and were incapable of private control (such as the milk trade and possibly the. liquor tTade), or where private control threatened the depletion of national resources (such a* the coal and timber industries). He 1 would add industries controlled by monopolies and trusts. _ Inland transportation had been nationalised already, and it wa? a question now whether Stato control should be extended to sea tran,-snort Tho nationalisation of sea transport would be too big a proposition financially, but hn thought the State should lave :> voice in the management and tho charges. The Cost of Living, Coal was the life-blood of industry. 'Ho believed that independent inquiry would show that coal troubles were due to deliberate abstinence from work cn the part of men .who believed their in-

terests were to be served by tho limitation of output. It was unquestionable that some form of State control over the coal industry must bo adopted. Tho cost of living, ,'continued 31r. Skerrett, was affected by a variety of causes, and no single remedy could be found for the .rise in prices. The real remedy was increased production. Everything that increased the productivity of tho country also increased the purchasing power of the sovereign, and decreased the cost of living. He suggested it was the duty of the State to take an interest in all articles of necessity, to investigate their production, and, if necessary, to control prices and exploitation. Publicity was a powerful factor for good in those mattors. The amount of Government conshould be the smallest required _to achieve tho necessary result. Referring tr. land settlement. 3lr. Skerrett said that the price of laud had risen to such a high level that it was now almost impossible for the State to .buy land for subdivision. The league was not concerned with the question whether the values were true or--false, permanent or temporary. Many people had been saying for years that the values were too high, but the values had continued to rise, and the present prices were being paid by experienced farmers. He was no advocate of confiscation, but lie considered that ;the question of taxation required attention. The landowners generally were not paying taxation on the values at which they would sell. Ho felt it was unjust and almost dishonest that the taxation should not bo paid upon the market value of the laud. This point had been mentioned recently by the president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr. J. G. Ilarkness. Tho law gave the Government power to acquire land at ' the taxation value, plus 10 per cent..- but this power had not been used, owing to tho fact that tho owners secured the increase of their valuations when tho Government proposed purchase. The statute (providing for the purchase of land for returned soldiers did not give the power he had mentioned. '

In conclusion Mr. Skerrett said he believed all the members of the league desired to secure sane, responsible, and clean government. They wero not prepared to put the rights of any class against the rights of any other class, aiid they would stand for the just settlement of tlio claims of the different classes of the community, in the hope that industrial strife, with its dislocation of business and stirring up of class hatreds, might be removed' from the community. (Applause.) Tasks of Organisation. Mr. A. P. Harper, organiser of tho league, said New Zealand was, faced'by very serious difficulties, economic ami in. dustrial. The Dominion's interests would not be 'served by an artificial division based on prejudice in politics. The activities of the lcagu; must bo political and educative. Tho president liad dealt with the political aspects.. Tho educativo work would require first tho raising of . funds. No step had yet been taken in that direction. He would mention in this connection tbat there was in the Dominion a big) sound organisation with an income approaching six figures. The league was going to find itself up against ono of the most perfect organisations tho country had seen, led by very callable men. 011 : tho other side was a disorganised mass of peoplo who had great reason to be dissatisfied with present conditions, but who were talcing 110 interest in politics. Or.o of tlio objects of tho league would bo to select candidates who were to lie judged 011 their ability and their opinions ratiier than on their political records. Ho suggested that in tho event of there being two 01: rnoro suitablo candidates for ono seat, tho league should follow the Labour example, and nuike the selection by ballot. Tho pledges required by the league would bo very wide. He tn ought it would be iJuflicient-to require a mineral adherence to the principles of the league and an undertaking not to work with tho "Red Feds." The leaguo must seek to arouse interest in politics. Tho labour Party was taking its politics seriously, and many of its members were studying economics earnestly. The people who did not support socialist ideals could not afford to be inactive. Mr. Harper emphasised tlio valuo of educativo propaganda to combat tho pernicious doctrines of class war and limitation of output. There was only one class distinction that should bo recognised. The man who dill his job honestly was on the 0110 sido, and the man who loafed on .his job, whatever it might be, was on the other- side. The man who inflated prices aiid tlio n.an who "went slow" wero both profiteers and enemies of the community. The cost oi' living question was highly important. High prices caused labour discontent, ami labour discontent raised prices in u vicious circlc. He suggested that the league should rise posters -to inipruss'on the mind of tho public the fact that: reduced production meant increased costs. .Something could bo done in the way or teaching tho youth of the country tho sanctity of agreements. Tho league could do usenil wurly by supporting the Workers' Educational Association, and by seeking publicity through a weekly or monthly magazine. It was most important to get into touch with the workers and get tlieni acquainted with'economic facts. The real question was whether or not the sane peoplo tf New Zealand wero going to liand over the control oi' their country to a party led by a few imported I.W.W. sympathisers. He suggested that each district should employ a capable salaried 'organiser.

A vote of thanks to the president for his address was carried unanimously. Major Lusk said the Auckland executive was in general agreement with the political programme. Sincerity Needed. ; Mr. ,Cr. K. Wright said he would have liked to hear from the president how the Mime into existence. The position, it appeared to him, was that for tlio last forty years the Government of the country had been largely in tlio hands of the capitalistic class, which must be regarded as responsible for the crisis that had arisen. He had often been asked if the leaguo whs sincere, and was prepared to live up to its name. Was fhe leaguo prepared for a full adherence to the principles laid down, or - would it go only to a certain length ? Was the league prepared for sacrifice as well as effort? There were four branches of policy, religious, political, social, and economic. Neither churches lior politicians were doing their work effectively at the present time. The great middle class wiSs entirely dissatisfied with the old political system. He did not think the people were apathetic. They were keenly alive to the necessity of sonio change in the Government ot' the country, but they would adopt an attitude of apathy if asked to support the old political system. There was no political apathy in the civil service, lie had been assured that the civil servants were tending towards Labour, because they had suffered so severely from the high cost of living. The league ought to assist civil servants to assert their right to take part in political activity. The regulations which denied the State employees the right to enter politics wero ultra vires because they ran counter to the law. The civil servants were simply in despair about their economic position, and when they wero invited to join the Welfare League they suspected tint the league were merely a devico of the capitalists to crush the Bolsheviki and retain the present conditions. What was needed was an nssurarico of tlio absolute sincerity of the league. He himself would remain 'a member only if convinced of the league's sincerity.

Mr. Durward said the same point had been raised in Palmcrston North where the league's executive of nine members included three Labour representatives. The loaituß must prove Hint it intended to stand by tho principles it had laid down. There was a nrnat cliancc for the league. Of tho existing-parties, the Reformers would not reform, the Liberals included some of the most illiberal men in the country, and the Labour Pnrtv included many people who would not labour. The go-slow policy was not confined to tho workers. Many employers went slow. Tlie.v cheeked production when they thought nrices were likely to 1<« brought down. It was 110 uncommon thing for manufacturers to buy inventions for I ho purpose wf suppressing them. Goinn Slow. Mr. E. Ivellett urged that the league must show its appreciation of the necessity for big changes. The workers went slow for a definite purpose, to draw attention to .injustices, and the league, if it was to bccomo a force in politics, must bo prepared to advocate real rej forms. 1 Mr. A. Whitaker 6aid it was no usa

disguising the fact that a causo of the formation of the league had been fear, of tho Labour Party. One reason for tbat fear was that the Labour Party, in the industrial lield, was autocratic. It was controlled by three or four men. The Labour Party, in its political organisation, was tile most democratic group in the country. He felt that the people responsible for the irresponsible extremists now at the head of organised Labour were not the workers, but the employers. Ho knew as an old trades unionist that as soon as a man beeamo at all prominent in any industrial organisation. however moderate and fair he might .he, he was victimised by tho employers. This was tho case in all countries.' A certain worker who had later become famous as the author of (lie "to hell with agreements" dictum had tried to get out of the union business. He had oven taken work under an'assumed name. But the employers had dismissed him directly they discovered his identitv, and dismissal had followed him until he was forced back into the ranks of the agitators. T'he employers of this country ought to be made to realise that it was in their interests to have the best workers at the head of tho Labour movement. Another point to remember was that while men should be discouraged from going slow, they should not bo penalised for going fast. As a tradesman, lie had suffered reduced time and reduced wages after he and his fellow-workers had laboured hard and produced largely. The bonus system and piecework system did not work fairly, because the employer always cut down the rates when ho found that the workers were earning moro than the ordinary wages in the trade. It was idle to tell the worker to increase his production 'if the employer was going to take all the profit. Tho average working man was not extreme at all. He wanted just two tilings—security of employment and earnings and security of the home. If these conditions were realised the Dominion would not be troubled by Labour extremists.

Colonel A. F. Roberts said that sincerity must bo tlio text of the Welfare League. No employer could become a useful member of the 'league unless he was prepared for sacrifice. The necessary improvements of conditions would demand sacrifices from tlio employers. The workers would want an assurance that increased production would mean reduced retail prices. Mr. Skerrett said a mere lip statement of sincerity would not be of value, The league must prove its earnestness by its work and its principles. Tlio conference proceeded with the discussion of its political programme. The Platform. The first clause of the platform, providing that the State in association with local authorities should provide adequate housing accommodation "at. reasonable rentals with encouragement to tenants to acquire the freehold of their homes," was discussed at some length. There was some difference 01 opinion on the question of tenure. In answer to a question, Mr. Skerrett said it was intended that any funds required to meet", deficiencies should be provided by the State. An amendment proposed by Colonel Roberts, "That as the scheme will involve loss, taxation to provide funds should bo imposed," was adopted. A proviso was added that adequata 'provision should bo made to control speculation after tlio fieohold had been accniired. Proposals were made for the reorganisation of tlio system of controlling public health. They included the reconstitution of hospital boards and the establishment of free maternity homes. Delegates proposed also' freo treatment in public hospitals, freo dental clinics and nurseries for the reception of children whose mothers wore in tho maternity homes.

Mr. Skerrett said that if tho league proposed enormous expenditure, beyond the resources of the' Government, it would get 110, hearing at all. After discussion the proposal for freo hospital treatment was rejected. State nurseries and free dental clinics wero approved. Land Settlement. A proposal for "more promjit administration of the existing provisions for settling and pecuniarily assisting soldiers to 6(jttle on tho land" was discussed. Delegates voiced a desire for much improvement of tho repatriation system. Colonel Roberts said it was "absoluto murder" to put returned soldiers 011 the land at the present boom prices. _ An .average man could not make a living out of land bought at the exceedingly high prices now Tilling. " Mr. G. I'earce said tho Government was putting men on costly land, while it held not less than 100,000 acres of good native land, acquired at compara. lively low values. Mr. Skerrett advocated putting all Ministers off the Repatriation Board and .'entrusting tho work to a non-political business body. Several proposals bearing on the point were adopted. The conference discussed tho soitloment of land at length, and added tho following planks to the platform:— • "That a more vigorous policy be issued in acquiring native land, necessary provision being made for tho income of the said land being applied for. the l.i-no-fit of tiho Natives.

"Tho complete revision of the principles which govern the valuation of land.

"Some control I>y the State over the resale of agricultural and pastoral land with a. view to checking speculation." During the afternoon the inference discussed other planks of the piatfonn and the rules, and made minor amendments and additions. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected President, Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C.j vice-presidents, Majov Lusk (Auckland), Messrs. 11. Akers (I'almerston Noj-th), C. 11. Ollivier (Christcliurch), li. H. \\illiams (Hastings), James Eegg (Dunedin), and J. M'Leod (New Plymouth); National Executive, Major Lusk and Messrs. C. Gresson, J. Linklater, E. Kellctt, ,T. B. Waters, J. B. M'Ewan, A. Macintosh, H. Mainland, B. Burns, and Durward. The president thanked the delegates for their co-operation and for the spirit of ■agreement in which they had dealt villi the business of -ilie conference. The proceedings then closed.