AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 23, 11 August 1911, Page 14

AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES.

THE UNITY PROPOSALS. On, Sunday, July 30/H.' Scott Bennett lectured to a croAvded house on ."Laborism and Socialism," and strongly criticised the unity proposals of W." T. Mills. He clearly defined the Socialist position, showing that the Socialist recognised the class struggle and how that they did not hope for emancipation from any reform party; how that they recognised that only by a complete transformation from a basis of. private oAvnership"• to one of socialoAvnership and control of the means of life could a. system of society be established which would ensure for all the full enjoyment of life such as should be the heritage of all. He pointed out hoAV that Labor parties by advocating reforms, were only misleading those who/ Avorked/for such parties, and how that bitter ."disappointment Avas the" lot ■bf those who J pinned their, faith- to mere reform parties. He- pointed out the- Aveak parts of the unity proposals, and during question time he brought out more fully the Aveakness of the scheme. The trade unions have been addressed by representatives of the Federation of Labor, and-have- met with, much encouragement. We belie A re that in the near future seA'eral of the unions will, come into the Federation and will be a..source'of strength to it. The political campaign is also being carried on A'igorously, meetings being .held and'literature distributed, and canvassers, are busy. The fortnightly socials- held by the party in the Federal Hall are proving a great success, as also the other social functions of the-,-party.-The Anti-Military/Council, to which many members of the Socialist Party are also very active/and are organising a force •'which will put.up a good.fight against the iicav Baronet's Soiidiers-by-Gonipulsion Act. ; We do not think the unity proposals will attract many supporters from; the Socialist Party ;/in fact, unity is almost already established in Auckland^—but it ■is in the Socialist Party, and not in any,, conglomeration- of parties. If there are any other parties in Auckland they 'are'very quiet, except wheri the littie ; Professor"; comes along, and then most of the faces at his meetings/seem familiar to one, Avho is familiar with'the faces of the Opera House'audience.— T.B.