THIRD DAY.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 64, 31 May 1912, Page 8

THIRD DAY.

V. G. Web!) presided. Minutes won. re'id and confirmed. Resolved that members of tbe Federation be allowed at deliberations provided they regarded proceedings as"confidential. Speakers were selected for Sunday's "rally" in the Opera House, Wellington. W. E. Parry on Waihi. By special resolution of conference, Mr.' W. E. Parry (President of the Waihi Miners' Union, and Vice-presi-dent of the Federation) addressed delegates on. tbo Waihi dispute. He said that just before tho last agreement was made between tho union and the mine managers an attempt had been made to form a union antagonistic to the existing union, but that the attempt had failed. After the recent Auckland trouble the attempt had been renewed, whereupon 1100 men had protested against the registration of another and urmeoessary union. Most of the engine. drivers had asked the Miners' Uuioa *di_t protection it intended to them in view of the effort being fo register a separate cn_ine-drived|^^H

union. The miners had decided to do everything possible to eil"ct a sot-lle-juent, and had approached tho few dist'oii ten ted engine-drivers, without avail. Mr. Read, secretary of the Enginedrivers' Federation, bad vibited Waihi, and upon learning the circumstances of the secession had refused to assist in tho formation of an illegitimate union. Tbe .Miners' Union had found itself compelled to stand for the principle of one union for one industry, and also to strenuously fight the coming into legislative recognition of a small faction of workers. Ho held in his hand a. document signed by 51 men proposed to bo covered by tho new union, opposing the same and certifying their loyalty to tho Waihi Workers' Union. (Cheers.) Mr. Parry answered a numlier of questions put by delegates, and pointed out that although the Miners' Union had been charged with breaking an agreement, as a matter of fact the drivers had flagrantly broken the agreement to which they had been a part, in that, said agreement recognised the drivers as. an integral part of the Waihi Workers' Union. Mr. Parry was accorded a vole of thanks. Power was granted the Executive to appeal for financial aid for tho men tit Waihi and Reefton. The secretarial classification of remits was endorsed. United Labor Party. The Hon. .1. T. Paul, M.1..C, and Mr. Robertson. M.P., were received as a deputation from the United Labor Party. Mr. Paul said they came to try and link-up Labor into one organisation, and, if they could not do so, to arrive at a.v understanding on certain points. Nearly two years ago amalgamation had lioen discussed without agreement being readied. Since then the machinery of the Labor Party had been considerably altered, and it now had a constitution admirably .suited to workers' requirements. The constitution provided for industrial and political organisation along the lines of industry. ■He had no doubt but that tbe most extreme men could come into the party and preach what they believed. Itwas proposed to set un centres of activity _Uid amalgamate as many small unions m possible. He urged delegates to come right iv and make one -great movement. He could Hot see why ministers of religion and lawyers should not have the. right 'to subscribe to the principles of the Labor Party. Mr. Robertson said he bad not changed in his adhesion to the principles of Socialism and Industrial Unionism. Mr. Robertson went- or. fo dopt-e----jyite the personal recriminations which jj'ad marred their movement, lie ventured to predict that the conference would decnle upon radical action, and be wished to say that tho Federation 3 platform could not essentially differ from that of the United Labor Party. There was developing in New Zealand a peasantr-' akin to that of other countries, and because the Labor forty found a place for Ibis peasantry he had thrown in his lot with the party. Tbe speakers were questioned *ipon their party's attitude during the Auckland trouble, as lo their party's repudiation of the class war, upon arbitration and the ;.ttiko, whether industrial amale-ttmation was possible without endorsement of political platforms, and it it wa_ nob dangetotis to have a party made no of opposing economic interests T'npse and other questions were courteously bandied by the deputation. The deputation w;e thanked for its attendance. As to Strike Rumors. fn 11-e Afternoon tho action oT the Executive in issuing the following statement wis embjts-d : — '•'The Executive of the New Zoa--Imd Federation of Labor, in whose bands full control o c the Waihi dispute lias been vasi."d. met to-day, and considered certain newspaper statements anevf. flic trouble. "The Federation states that all report'; as to internal dissension and backing-down are absolutely without fouud.'ti ion. r. nd that 'he action taken by the Waihi men has the full endorsement of the Executive. "The Executive also denies the statement that it is calling 'off the strike on Monday morning, tbe statement being without the slightest foundation in fact. •The Federation of Labor is in full accord with, the men on strike." Socialist Party. A deputation from the Socialist Party was received. K. J. Howard (president of the party) introduced the speakers. Frank Freeman stated that at the last conference of the Socialist Party tnany remits had been dealt with concerning tho Federation of Labor. It had been decided at the conference to ask the Federation to abstain from taking political action, and to leave tbat function to the Socialist Party. In tho (future it was thought that tMfcelessuty of this step would be par&tt than afc the present time,

R. 6. Ross said that it was necessary that every candidate speaking on behalf ; ot the working-class must be a Socialist. Both the Federation of Labor and the Socialist Party stood for the samo things. The Socialist Party hitherto had been behind tho Federation right up to the hilt. Tho Federation of Labor and the Socialist, Party were at ■! ono on the question of arbitration, the , right to strike, anti-militarism, and many other matters. The Federation was made up of three political tendencies—those who wore opposed to any political action, those who would vol. for the Labor Party, and those who would vote for the Socialist Party. The economic salvation of the Federation finally restod in political action. Throughout Now Zealand the }>'<"'< tion had been known as the "Red" Federation. Let delegates recognise that they were indissolubly wrapped up in the Socialist movement. They should boldly and frankly declare their allegiance to that movement. Questions were asked and answered, and the deputation was thanked. Mr. Joseph Nay]or, of Kelson, addressed the'conference upon tho question of the nationalisation of the mining industry. He contended that all the coil areas should lie nationalised, and that .stops should be taken to prevent any further leases being granted to private exploiters. A vote of thanks was tendered to the speaker. The conference then adjourned to l»e photographed and to give committees a chance to deliberate.