The Daily News TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1905. LIBERALISM AND LABOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7744, 21 February 1905, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1905. LIBERALISM AND LABOUR.

The Political Labour Conference, which concluded its eight days' sittings in Sydney on the Oth inst., was the most noteworthy event in tho history of -Australian politics for many years. Through a conviction that the press of Sydney would take advantage of the occasion to misrepresent the motives, aspirations, and actions of the Conference, it was resolved, by a large majority, to exclude all reporters. In consequence oi this, it is impossible to gather fully the drift of individual opinion among those present, but, judging by the- resolutions passed, and by such summary reports as were given by the Australian newspapers, the proceedings were marked by a strong sense of earnestness and responsibility. They were also remarkable for the debating skill of many speakers, among whom there were several members of the N.S.W. State Parliament and Sir J. C. Watson, the late Federal Premier. Among the two hundred delegates present were some thirty ladies, who took a full share in the proceedings, and were never lost as to what to say and how to vote on every resolution. There was at lirst some measure of gciod-natured " chall " in reference to the speeches and proposals of some of the lady members, but the mass of the delegates were with a gentleman who expressed tho hope that not only might the Party continue to have women working with and helping them, but that they might also shortly have womvn ill Parliament, " where," said the speaker, " they will all make good Labour -mem'lKjrs." There was, however, a regrettable narrowness of outlook with regard to representatives of the Party in the State and Federal Parliaments, which is one of the weak spots of the Labour movement throughout the world. We r»fer to the idea that the Party cannot be adequately or s-afely represented on legislative bodies except by persons who are or have been actual .manual workers themselves, and the Conference apphniclett-the-declttr--ation of one delegate who said that

members of Parliament must bo >ound hand and foot in every direcion." This) conception of parlianentary membership is no new one nth the Labour Party, and it is at ho root of a deal of its past trouiles in Australia. The idea of be ng a mere delegate, bound hand ant oot' by the resolutions of a bodj nitside the House, has lost to th 'arty many a good representative fo man with the spirit requisite t< i worthy member of Parliament cai olerate being dictated to on even rivial question by those who, 01 ;eneral principles, have sent hiii nto the House. Hence, after a sea on in Parliament, if he finds him elf able to stand alone that is tactically, if he is a man of an; icrsonal weight or ability —hi promptly shakes himself out of hi ihacfcles and is thereafter known a 'a traitor to the cause." Tin ame predilection for continuous au hority over its members was showi >y various expressions flof opinioi vith regard to the Council's clain )n a share of Labour members' hon irarium—one lady member going si ar as to say that on election il hould be compulsory to every mem ler of Parliament receiving the sup lort of the Party to "give " (?) t( he lighting fund. To the credit o he Conference this suggestion wa: nerely received with laughter, but il vould have been more satisfactory ' ill if there had been some stroiif. ironouncement in deprecation o ueh i-deas. The Conference was large y dominated by Mr J. C. Watson,th •'ederal ex-Premier, a good New Zea and Democrat, who was transplant ■d to Australia a few years ago. JJj heer ability and tact and unswerv ng suavity of demeanour, he led tin rating power of the Conference al >ng the right path, and achieved th< regaining of what will certainly be i lew era for Labour in the Common vealth. Jn supporting the rccom trended objective of the Party, a ormulated iby a committee anc "'ought before the Conference fo ;onsideration, Sir Watson hud a tasl •equiring all his taut and ability ind he acquitted himself in a wa* .vhich showed him ;i worthy leade if men—and women. Space wi]l no lenin'l of our here traversing th 'oil I i 11 form of the Party as eveiitu illy carried, which was'cabled her n brief early in the month. Mos •emarkable in the tactful and wis nuves of the Labour leader, was tha vhich induced the delegates to vob or a new condition of ,-ifTairs in it •arliamentary representation. Hif.h irto, though that Parly has beei argely represented in each of th Parliaments, and also in th •"ederal House and Senate, it ha, ittajned 110 remarkable supcußS. Th •eason of this failure is to be foun< 11 that part- of its programme whicl irohibits the Labour Party Iron illying itself with any other Part' n the House, It has had to pia; l lone hand " every time, and ii nearly every case has been " eucji red." Hli- Watson made ivhat i reported to have been a magniljcen speech in support of a motion Iron the Mudgee Labour League : " Tha this Conference supports the allianc between 111'! Labour and Isaacs Par ties in the FedfiraJ Parliament." Ii his remarks Alt' Watson jnstaum

" the splendid Socialistic measures that bad been gained " by such an alliance in this colony as a proof of the wisdom of such n policy. After a long discussion the proposal was carried, but modified by tho addition of a trust that " the early triumph ol' Labour may render such alliances unnecessary in the near future." VVe commend this decision to the serious consideration of the Hon. Kigg and those who, with him, are trying to cause a disruption of the Liberal i'artv in this colony. The triangular formation of partiqs is thus knocked out of existence in the Federal .Parliament, and it wi!/ not brlong before the- same formation ip the Stale Houses must go too. And yet after this l example of i.ts self-' {'onft'.HHuii failure in Australia, Mr liigg and iny political Labour league go. on sclimjiig fop Uiy !w*

sting up in this colony of the best i and anost successful Liberal and Labour combination 'that history lias any records of. Mr 'lsaacs in Australia, like our own Premier, is a man of huge ability and honesty of , purpose, who cannot sec every moot- I ed political movement in exactly the same light as the extreme leaders of tile Labour Party. He is prepared to go far along its road but foe will not plunge. Ail alliance between j him and Mr Watson will give A us- | tralia the ablest and strongest Gov- ; eminent it has had since the inception oi' Federation. Labour in Australia looks upon Now Zealand as an ideal for imitation, and throughout tiie Commonwealth, from Port Parwin to Ilobart, our progress is associated with the personality of one man. " We want Dick Reddon here !" says the worn-out city toiler, and " If Ave only had Seddon in this country !" says the far-out pioneer ; and in the cry of both there is recognition of what might be, awl abundant promise of loyalty to the strong and competent leader who will try to right their wrongs. Only a Government well led, and comprising inen of ability, from whatever rank or class they can be obtained, can do the vast work of putting Australia on the road to prosperity and content. Such men can effect this only by a combination the like of which in this colony the Political Labour League has set itself to undo. The methods advocated here by the Hon. J. Kigg arc obsolete, or obsolescent, in Australia. Let those who arc inclined 'to take up the fuds of the small discontented clique who run the Liberal and Labour League in Wellington 'digest these facts, and recognise accordingly when they had best " leave well alone."