LABOR CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1923, Page 1

LABOR CONFERENCE.

[by TKI.EGRAT'IT —VER riIESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 4. At the Labour Conference, motions dealing with the land policy in the constitution were referred to the national executive to set up n committee to report freely to the next confer-

I hut.*o 1, Section (g; of the constitution reads:—“All elections for public administrative bodies to lie on the same basis as the parliamentary franchise.” The following clause, moved by the Amalgamated Society of Painters, and Decorators (Wellington branch) was added :—“That, where applicable, the Parliamentary electoral roll shall be the roll tor local bodies elections.” ( oiisidcration of a proposal by tlio Wellington North branch that free meals should be supplied to all children attending the State schools, was deferred till next conference. A motion by the Timaru branch that all income tax returns should be open for public inspection, was not seconded, and it lapsed. At the Labour Conference, the following motion by Mr R. .Semple was adopted:—-“That this conference pledges itsell to forthwith embark upon an active campaign demanding the repeal of the present Defence Act, as, in the opinion of the Conference, it is unnecessary and useless, and has it demoralising effect upon the boyhood ol our country; and we also demand tlie repeal of the law which disfranchises a number of conscientious objcc-

A remit from the Wellington Social Democratic Party was adopted as follows; “That, in view of tlie menace of capitalist imperialism. working through the channel of secret diplomatic arrangements, this Conference insliucts the incoming executive to take immediate steps, in conjunction with the various Labour Parties within the British 'Empire, to call a conference for the purpose of defining uniform action for labour respecting British

foreign policy.” The Palmerston North L.R.C. urged the Conference to consider the establishment of Labour daily newspapers. The Canterbury Drivers’ Union forwarded a remit urging the establishment of Labour newspapers in the various towns of Now Zealand.

The matter was referred to a special committee consisting of Messrs Holland, O'lSrien, Eraser. Sullivan, M.P’s, Chapman, Thorn, Reiiit and ,T. A. McCullough. The following remits were carried:

Tlisit 11 io Conference consider the revision of the system for granting old age pensions, with n view to simplifying the procedure. That (lie mailer of <>!d age pensions reciprocity, with Australia lie pro-sod forwa rd. That, in view of the existence of rings, combines, and price-fixing associations, the Conference affirms its support of the existing co-operative oniiMprise, and recommends to all affiliations the necessity of further extending the co-operative movement. That I lie Parliamentary Labour memhers he asked to endeavour to secure better conditions and union rates of wages for all men working on Covernuient relief works. A remit from the National Pi’ac ( iui 11< i I i i'i oiiimendiiig a general method ot .•iiciaUsing eilucalioii, v.as adopted. The ( olifereiice ''ejected each ot the following remits:— l''rmn Auckland I’rewcry Kmployecs’ Cnion : -"That owing to the referendum on the liquor ijuestioii <li-11acting; the atlention of tlie people from the selection oi their parliamentary ropresmn a ! ives. tin's (’oi'lorenco declares it-Si-li in favour ol Ihe referendum on the liipiur «i iii-stion being taken once in nine years, instead of once in three years as at present.’’ I-' rn iit Poverty Hav 1.d1.C. 'That in future the Parliamentary Kleetions and lhe Licensing Poll he held in different years.” Il was decided io hold the nexi mufereine at Dunedin at Kasler. The eunli'i'onoe has now concluded.

LAIKH'Ii RId’OIIT

(lll!lßT('liri;Cn. April A

Tin l in*£ paragraph of the l.aIjiii Party*.' report on the last session of I’.'iliMiiiolll. say-;:- “Of till' Liberals willi either voied with Mr Massey or (lid fii>n■ ilia Clnmilior vlicti three Labour j 1li-finiiii!<•1 i-finiiii!<• iiiv motions wore liclore the House. there were at least twelve ulio owed their oli<•i ii m to Labour support v. lio eonlil not possibly have been elected ii Labour luul had a eandiilaie in the held in their electorate. These .Liberals wore opposed by a liorernnient candidate ami therefore received no support whatever from Government voters, and yet. as soon as Labour in the House challenged the Government. they cast their voles to save llie Government from defeat. The le-'on which the i.ahoiir movement must learn from the short session o! 1 !ll>3 is that we must organise unr Labour party branches, in every electorate in tin' Dominion, ami lie prepared to enter the field, and challenge our opponents of both parties when the nest election conies alone.

LABOR CONFKRF.N'Cf

DTSCTSSIOX O.V LIQUOR. fßeceived this day at 0.-I5 a.m., LONDON. April 1. The Labour Confercmco vote on the prohibition i|iiestiou revealed that Ibwere in favour and against the proposal. John Carnegie of Dundee, replying to those who urged that drink led to crime and degradation, said one of the largest bank robberies in Glasrro tv was due to teetotallers and lie van (of Kipiitahle Rank fraud., fame) was President of a Temperance Society.^ Cries of: “What about Bottomlcy." NTi Carnegie replied that all of Bottomley's schemes acre fixed up when he was sober. Scottish mem Iters submitted a motion recommending that Labour Commoners should not accept the hospitality of political opponents at public dinners and social function,, cm opt when it was necessary for the leader of the party to meet the King on State occasions. . After considerable dismission tin-Con-i’cTciKi 1 Ijv ninety-thre vou j s to. ninety j passed tin* motion after dchning all words after ‘•functions." Mr AVillhead (Chairman) remarked :

■•) thought a revolution was knocking it ti»o tlnor. ~ A motion demanding i!*c immediate -o'-ialisatioii of bird prodm.d sm.-l! heated differences of opinion tuat it was referred to the National Conned. A resolution in favour of the abolition of Cabinet Government, and substitution of Government by a Committee - iih Ministers as Chairmen was also referred to the Council lor exan.mation. after Charles Trevelyan (a ( *mmonerL had urged the party should not substitute Parliamentary chaos lor Government tyranny, saying: ‘Me don’t want a pledge-hound, oath-ridden partv. when we get into power. Me want vital representatives who will think and act for themselves. 1-

FURTHER DECISTON'B. London. April 4. Tile Labour Conference adopted resolutions that the Covenant of tlie League of Nations should be entirely separated from the Versailles Treaty and that the League should be empowered to *rek a do novo settlement of war problems. That the Labour Party relentlessly pres* forward a capital levy.