EXTRA EDITION. ENTENTE CORDIALE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1913, Page 8

EXTRA EDITION. ENTENTE CORDIALE

LABOUR PARTY & FEDERATION GENERAL' DESIRE TO CO^ OPERATE. Since the recent conference convened by the Federation of Labour, and attended by representatives of various unions affiliated with the Labour Party, doubts have been expressed as to the exact relation of the local Trades Council with the Federation. From enquiries made by a Post representative to-day, it seems to be the general opinion of members of the Labour Party branches, of unions affiliated with the United Labour Party, and of other unions in Wellington, not connected with either that party of the Federation of Labour, that nothing should be done in the direction of throwing cold , water on the projected All-Labour Conference, to be held in July next— a gathering agreed on at, the late conference. Both the district council and the Wellington main branch of the Labour Party have resolved to advise full representation at the gathering referred to. The "basis of unity" proposals submitted—judging from replies to questionswill be treated only as a basis. In the five months' interim between now and the date fixed for the proposed convention the different sections of the Labour movement will, it is very likely, consider the programme put forward, and each section will very naturally strive to have the "basis of unity" suggested amended in the direction of its thought on the subject. .Meantime the Unity Congress Sub* committee may be expected; to repeatedly circularise the whole of the unions in furtherance of the acceptance of the proposals that have been advanced. At the bottom of it all— especially does this apply to the rank and file oft trades unions— there appears to be a genuine desire to have done with the present existing differences of opinion, and to combine on a programme of reforms that, can be generally agreed on, leaving debatable matters (apart from the general policy agreed on) on one side, to be i fought for by ( contending factions.. At the Wednesday meeting of the local branch of the Labour Party, the delegates recommended to the district council that the executive of the United Labour Party be asked to meet a day or two prior to the proposed All-Labour Conference. At a former meeting of the council a resolution was carried urging the unions to take part in the general conference. The recommendation of the party branch was made in ofder that the annual meeting of the United' Labour Party, fixed by its constitution, . should be held at a time that would fit in with the presence of delegates to the big con^ ference to be held in this city. Thii council adopted the recommendation. ■ ™ At the suggestion of the Wellington branch the management committee of the district council has been constituted a committee to approach the present Unity Congress Sub-committee and other bodies, with a view to co-operation to make successful the campaign at the approaching municipal elections. This action was decided on at last night's meeting of the Trades Council.