A Radical "Platform"

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 105, 23 February 1893, Page 4

A Radical "Platform"

The following is the " platform" adopted by the Wellington Trades and Labor Council : — General— To resist any attempt to repeal existing Labor measures which have proved beneficial, and to support and endeavour to pass further measures for the benefit of labor ; and at all times to work honestly and energetically for the progress and prosperity of New Zealand. £ ectoral— Abolition of property quali6cations in all elections, whether parliamentary, municipal, or otherwise. Parliamentary election polling day to be a general holiday, and all public houses to be closed. National — All railways to be owned by the State. Establishment of a State Bank, i.e., a bank owned and managed by the State, which, besides holding and dealing with the public account, shall carry on the ordinary business of a banking institution. Constitutional— Elective Governors. Educational — Free, secular, and part compulsory. Industrial— Statutory eight hours day. Minimum rates of wages in certain cases. Apprentices Act — An Act to provide for apprentices being legally bound to their employers, fixing the term of indenture, and setting forth the proportion of apprentices to journeymen. Eepeal of all conspiracy laws relating to industrial disputes. Extension of the co-oper-ative system on public works. Exclusion of colored and Asiatic labor and undesirable immigrants. Legal — Adequate payment to common jurors. Additional — Exemption of all improvements and increase of graduated land tax. Statutory limitation of the rate of interest on money lent by way of mortgage, personal security, or otherwise. The report was adopted, subject to ratification by the Trades Council Conference.