THE LABOR CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 283, 27 May 1912, Page 5

THE LABOR CONFERENCE

LABOR AND SOCIALISM. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At the Federation of Labor conference < yesterday afternoon Messrs. Ross, Howard and Freeman, representing the New Zealand Socialist Party, waited upon the conference. Mr. Freeman stated that at the last conference of the Socialist Party many remits had 'been dealt with concerning the Federation of Labor. It had been, decided to ask the Federation tt refrain from taking political action, leaving that function to the Socialist Party. Mr. S. Ross said that it was necessary that every candidate speaking on behalf of the working class must be a Socialist. The 'Federation of Labor and the Socialist Party stood for the same thing. The Socialist Party hitherto had been behind the Federation right up to the hilt. The Federation of Labor and the Socialist Party were at one on the questions of arbitration, the right to strike, anti-militarists, and many other points. The New Zealand Federation had been known as the "Red Federation." Lot the delegates recognise that they were absolutely wrapped up in the Socialist movement. They should boldly and frankly declare their allegiance to v that movement. Mr. Joseph Taylor, of Nelson, addressed the conference on the question of the nationalisation of the mining industry. ' He contended that all coal areas should be nationalised, and that steps should be taken to prevent any further leases being granted to private exploiters.*