LABOR IN CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 322, 24 January 1908, Page 3

LABOR IN CONFERENCE.

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE. London, January 22. The Labor Party's conference at Hull rejected a resolution to extend tne suiiragc. to women on the same terms as are enjoyed by men. An amendment in favor oi full male adult sunTage was carried by three to one. A separate amendment to extend the Parliamentary franchise to working women was rejected by a large majority. Some women who were in the gallery hissed the deciaioa.

MINIMUM WAGES. LABOR AND SOCIALISM. Received dan. j», 10.37 p.m. London, January 23. The Hull Conference adopted a resolution wiling upon the Government to establish minimum wages in selected trades, despite Mr. Ramsay MacDonald'a warning regarding New Zealand trade union conditions.

The Congress declared that Wages Boards hindered more than helped wages. Mr. A. Henderson, MJ?., said that Mr. Mac Donald waa prejudiced against Wages Boards, while Mr. Keir Hardie approved them after having visited the colonies.

Air. Stephenson, representative of the Amalgamated Engineers, moved that the time had arrived when the Labor party should declare definitely in favor *o( socialism; that the mean* gf production, distribution, and exchange should be controUed by a democratic State in the interest of the entire community; also that the Conference is in favor of the complete emancipation of labor from the domination of capitalism and landlordism, with the establishment of social and economic equality between the km*.

Mr. 1). J. Shackieton, M.P., said if the resolution were adopted it would be a serious hindrance to the party for many yean. Almost without discussion the closure was applied, and the resolution wis passed by 514,000 to 469,000, the socialists singing ' The Red Flag.'' Mr. MacDoaalda motion repudiating socialism as antagonistic to family organisation and religion was passed, as was a uwtutioa expressing strong adherence to the cause of international peace, the next conference in connection with which is to meet at Portsmouth.

PEESB COMMENT. Received 44th, 1 aun. London, January 23. The Tribune says that the Hull Con ierence vote means that while only an fgtf»»tff minority of socialists are prepared as yet to present mi ultimatum; u> the trade unionist section, yet the majority are already eager to parade the deign with which trade unionist and Liberal Labor men are invited to The Daily Telegraph says that the red tag is distinguished from the "Jolly Soger" decision. It is a crushing blow to the, liberal party and is certain to widen the gulf between the two sections of labor and to exaggerate the differences and jeaouaies between the rival leaden. Tie Daily Mail says that tbc immediate result will be further secession* iu toe Liberal ranks. The Morning Post says that the two apparently diametrically opposite deciaWW mean that a inajurity of delegates an socialists, but arc unprepared to ostracise all who are not socialists.