BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3782, 25 January 1908, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

London, January 23. The Hull Conference admitted a resolution calling upon the Government to establish union wages in selected trades. Despite Mr Ramsay Macdonald’s warning as to the working of the New Zealand trade unions, the; congress declared that wages boards hindered more than helped wages. Mr A. Henderson, M.P., said Mr Macdonald was prejudiced against wages boards, while Mr Keir Hardie approved them after visiting the colonies. Mr Stephenson, representative of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, moved that the time had arrived when the Labour Party should declare definitely in favour of Socialism, the means of production, distribution and exchange to be controlled by a democratic State in the interest of the entire community ; and also favour the complete emancipation of labour from domination of capaitalism and landlordism, with the establishment of social and economic equality between the sexes. Mr D. J. Shackelton, M.P.,said that if the resolution was adopted it would be a serious hindrance to the party. . The closure was applied, and the resolution passed by 514,000 to 469.000, the Socialists 'singing the “Red Flag.” Mr Macdonald’s motion was car-r jied, in which the accusation was repudiated that Socialism was antagonistic to the family organisation and religion. ■ A resolution was passed expressing" strong adherence to the cause of. international peace. The next conference meets at Portsmouth. The Amalgamated Society of Railwayman claim that their 70,000 votes were wrongly cast in favour of. Mr Stephenson’s motion. Mr Bowerman, a Commoner, states that 60 delegates left before the vote was taken. The Labour Party’s executive is all Socialists, excepting five trades union Commoners. Mr Will Thorne, the Labour Commoner, declares the resolution means nothing, and is merely an expression of opinion on the part of the delegates favouring Socialism. It does not affect the constitution of the party. A similar .resolution submitted by Mr Clynes had been passed previously. !' Mr Will Crooks, another Labour Commoner, r: is . unable to see why such a fuss is being made. Mr Victor Grayson, the Socialist Commoner, considers the resolution really significant and shows that the majority of the trades unionists are in favour of Socialism as the ultimate object. The Times says the conference adopted the full-blown creed of theoretical Socialism in all its crudity. The labour. machine is now fairly captured fey the Socialists, who openly flout all middle and moderate courses. The Daily Chronicle says the Liberals must persevere with their policy of combining for the defence of free trade with reasonable, just and prudent social reforms.