THE SOCIALIST CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 February 1919, Page 5

THE SOCIALIST CONFERENCE.

BERNE, Februarjr 10. The Socialist Conference debated the .Territorial Commission’s resolutions, proclaiming the right of nations to Settle their own destinies and declaring that the populations or protectorates and colonies must be protected by the League of Nations, which should educate l;he populations for self-determination. In the course of the debate, Mueller, a German Majority Socialist, while admitting atrocities in German colonies, demanded the return of the colonies to the Republic. Mr. Henderson moved a resolution specifying the minimum rights for an international labour charter, enforce.able by the League of Nations at the conclusion of peace. A long list of requirements includes the prohibition of the employment of children under fifteen continuation schools for workers between 15 and 18, restrictions on the hours of work by women to four hours dally, the establishment of a 48-hour week, the abolition of night/work except necessary technical (when there is night work it must he highly paid), the protection of homes of workers, non-prohibition of'emigration and immigration, though a small educational standard may he imposed on immigrants, exchange of international labour statistics, international linking up of labour exchanges, the establishment of wages boards and State insurance, the appointment of a permanent international commission, meeting annually to promote International labour •legislation and co-operating with the international labour bureau ait Basle, and the trades unfop,,international, half the votes on the commission being assigned to labour. )