WHAT IS THE LABOUR PARTY?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2555, 15 March 1923, Page 4

WHAT IS THE LABOUR PARTY?

THE NUCLEUS AND THE BODY.

When one mentions the Labour Party in the hearing of many people it is at once disclosed that they have but- a -nebulous idea of what is being spoken about. They think of this party as a combination of all who are engaged in manual occupations. U Every. wage-earner is to them one of the Labour Party, or in some way,-bound to it. The very name “Labour” conveys the idea, to those- who do not enquire or think much about it, that the party means all workers or operatives. This is an 1 entirely erroneous conception. There are thousands of working men and women in New Zealand who are in no way connected with the political party known as “Labour.” After all men and women however placed in the community are individuals who do some individual thinking. They are not mere automotons to be moved about like pawns in a game. There is an element of individuality to be reckoned with at/ all times, and that individuality is what we hope to see developed and strengthened as time goes on.

What then is “the N.Z. Labour Party?” It is a political organisation having a distinctively socialist objective. From time to time the Press and public discuss it from the point of view of the opinions of its individual members but it should be held clearly in mind that the party has its own distinct character apart from the views of any particular individuals in it. HOW IS IT CONSTITUTED?

According to clause (1) of its Constitution it consists of “Industrial Federations and Unions, Trades and Labour Councils, N.Z. Labour Party Branches, Social Democratic Party Branches and other progressive organisations which subscribe to the Constitution and Platform of the party.” Amongst bodies classed as “progressive” are the National Peace Council and the Women’s International and Political League. From this it is seen that the party is other than a Trades Union party and goes beyond being even a New Zealand party. Its composition is complex and widely inclusive of all who can subscribe to its socialist objective; the syndicalist semi-communist proposals < f some parts of its platform on Ihe liberal and moderate labour ideas of other parts. This party is a heterogeneous combination of' various elements and the concept that holds all together is discontent with established society and the desire for radical changes in industrial, social, national, and international conditions —according to the aspirations of the particular- group within the party. THE FIERY NUCLEUS. At the centre of this combination there is a fiery nucleus of revolutionists who give to the party its definitely red character. The Social Democratic Party is a party within the party. This S.D.P. with individuals belonging to various Marxian Socialist organisations, form tlie driving power which hitherto has largely swayed the party as a whole. From some of the remits for next conference of the party, and other sources of information, there is evidence that some moderates wish to tone down the extremism of the objective and more revolutionary pronouncements of the party. That has occurred previously but always the nucleus of communist leaning has controlled the body and whilst changing superfluous words the Red character of the party has remained the same. It should be observed that the Social Democratic Party comes little before the public and what its aims are t lie people are not enlightened on. It, and the other factors we mention, is the power behind the scene whilst the ordinary Trade Unions are the bodies in action liefore the public. ~ THE BODY OF THE PARTY.

Such Industrial Unions of workers as have affiliated with the party constitute the body of the party in numbers, financial hacking and material support. It is on the Unions of workers the party chiefly relies. These Unions, constituted and registered for industrial purposes, are being changed into political'units of a socialist political party. Money from the Unions can be paid into the party although some i.members, may . have objections to their payments being so diverted. This gives, the=party a clear advantage over any other political party in that it cau virtually levy on individuals who do not agree with its doctrines, and enforce a form of political conscription on those outside its rank.. The question of what is the numerical strength of this

party is difficult to answer. We can see nothing to prevent certain members being counted twice or thrice over. Individuals attached to the Social Democratic Party or other “progressive” body may at the same time be members of Unions of the party and in that case counted more than once. The extreme left portion of the party in such way probably controls more votes and voice in the party than their numbers should entitle them to. OBJECTIVE AND TENDENCY. From the remits to the party’s Easter conference it is evident that some sections are not quite content with the present objective “the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange.” Hamilton Branch wants “the purpose made clearer.” Thai is a good idea. If “socialisation” is not clear to members of the party neither is it clear to the public. A tendency is displayed to tone down the party’s revolutionism —if: that is a move on the ground of principle and not merely politic for the time being, then it will be welcomed by all having the true interest of the Dominion at heart. A critical examination of (be party’s platform discloses il as a collection of mixed and even conflicting principles. If the party before reforming the universe intends to first reform itself it will have come to a wise decision and one which will be generally welcomed.