LABOR CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 89, 23 July 1910, Page 4

LABOR CONFERENCE

FURTHER RESOLUTIONS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association:

. Auckland, Last Night. This evening the Gisborne defecate iMr. Long) moved.- "That the Government be uiwd to Repress the exploitation of tue musses by establishing State w<hwtr.e» connected with the mlin ne< cecities of life."

The motion was carried after the mover had agreed to make the following addition suggested by the Canterbury delegates: "That the Government be asked to esLiblish genuine reproductive model farms, also an up-to-date co-opera-tive factory or works in eacli important industry, such as may be required for the pnrpose_ of checking excessive importations, increasing employment, and the absorption of surplus labor; the industries that have become monopolies and; those that are being lost to the State through excessive importations to receive first attention."

■Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Canterbarvf 1 moved, "That as the lands for settlement system is creating a reactionary force in polities in connection iriitifti the> demand by Crown tenants for Uto freehold, this conference express an opinion. that it is in the best interests, of the workers that the system be abolished,, and that the land be farmed directly by the State, the produce to be retailed in town and country depots at a price that will cover the cost of production and capital charges." The mover said that the opposition offered by his council to the lands for settlement system was based upon the fact that they in New Zealand had been using State credit to place speculators rather than cultivators upon the land. Given provision for the retention of the land by the Government, for the nationalisation of the food supply, and reversion to a state of socially created land values, both of the principles now embodied in the adopted platform of the Canterbury Council would be satisfied.

The motion was seconded by Mr. E. J. Howard (Canterbury) and carried. Mr. T. O'Byrnne (Southland) moved, "That the Government be urged to establish State sawmills, timber and firewood yards, in suitable localities, so as to cheapen building material and cause more work in the Dominion." The mover said that the operations of timber rings and sawmillers' associations had caused the price of timber to increase 100 per cent, in ten years. Wages bad not increased a tenth of that amount. The motion was carried.

Mr. Savage tabled the recommendations of the committee set up to consider the question of providing additional facilities for workers to secure thoroughly economic education. The committee strongly affirmed the principle of education by" means of lectures, etc., and urged that all trades unions should assist in furthering the object— The report was adopted. Mr. O'Byrnne moved, ''That this conference strongly urge upon the Government to maintain the co-operation system in their public works policy."

Mr. Sullivan moved an amendment to provide that public works be carried out by day labor instead of on the present co-operation system. The question was under discussion when the conference adjourned until tomorrow.

PROJECT TO CANVASS M.P'S.

Auckland. Last Night.

The machinery necessary to put into working operation the objective and platform of the New Zealand Party, which is being launched by the annual Dominion conference of trades and labor councils, was Anally specified to-day, and in the opinion of the delegates there is little now in the way to prevent the movement from assuming a practical form. The platform committee brought down further recommendations, on which a lively discussion took place. In regard to the following recommendation, "That in the event of any sitting member of Parliament gaining any branch of the New Zealand Labor Party in his electorate prior to the next general election, and signing allegiance to the objective of the platform and pledging himself in writing to carry out the princip'es embodied in the platform and on all questions affecting the platform, to vote as a majority of the Parliamentary party may decide at a duly constituted party caucus meeting, lie shall be the d'.ily selected and endorsed candidate of the Labor Party, and it shall not be compulsory for him to go to the preliminary ballot." Mr. J. Savage (Auckland): "Are sitting members going to remain sitting members -or ever?"

Mr. E. J. Howard (Canterbury): "Yes." Voices: "No! Only for next election."

Mr. J. Walsh (Auckland) contended that the party's objects would not be adequately served in this matter. It had been said, for instance, that Mr. Glover, member for Auckland Central.

.•lild be willing to sign our pledge, but would Mr. Glover be any good to them as a Labor member?

The Hon. J. S. Paul, M.L.C. (Otago) •mid that it was merely a question of meeting the present political situation. Mr. E. J. Carey expressed the belief that there were four or five anting members of the House of Representatives who would sign the pledge, probably within a week or two. This could form the nucleus of a party within the House.

•Mr. Savage: "We hare several in the House who, for the sake of securing f.IOO a year for another year would sign anything. He moved, as an amendment, that the clause exempting sitting members from going to a preliminary selection ballot be elmimalM."'

Mr. Paul: "Tt seems to mo that cheap sneers about politicians are quite out cf place. Politicians are not angels.' Mr. E. ,T. Howard (Canterbury) &phl the object of the motion was to ml A out a bait to sitting members, and Do opposed it. The amendment was lost by ]A to 4. A further amendment was moves by Mr. Breen to add to tic wotion: "THs clause shall only npplv <o »«"iiWs of Parliament contesting their first election under this constitution." T l i nmmdment was agreed to, ard the i.k tion, as amended, was carried.