THE UNITY CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 22, 26 June 1913, Page 5

THE UNITY CONFERENCE.

THE AGENDA TAPER. Per Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. An important statement embodying a summary of the proposals to be submitted to the Unity Congress was made to a Post reporter by Mr T. Young, chairman of the Unity Committee. He said the workers were approaching a period in political and industrial history which was Four hundred delegates were being appointed to the congress, which would be the largest gathering of Labor; delegates held in the Southern Hemisphere. The issue would be of paramount importance, having as its fundamental object the building together of the workers in one political and industrial organisation,. The constitution of ■the Social Democratic Party as drafted coincides with the platform of the United Labor and the old New Zealand Labor Parties. The draft programme includes lb.,' following:— Old age Pensions. —A proposal to reduce the residential qualification to ]!i years and the age limit for males to GO years and females to 50. No-License.—A bare majority should rule in all questions submitted to the popular vote. Arbitration Court.—The court should undertake, on its own motion, on the petition of an industrial body 1 , a hearon as to the prices charged for services and commodities in common use, and also have the power to make awards in such a way that wages will increase with all rdranci's in selling prices of comnioditv* ami services, as it now lixes the price of human labor. Defence.—The abolition of the present Act for a scheire for a citizen-' army on a voluntary basis, with ?. regular standard of wii-res for all services, and it will be provided that the troops are never to he used in industrial disputes. The officers will be elected bv the nun and class distinctions abolished. International Peace.—Provision will be made for yearly agreements 1>- i\\? Powers for the reduction of military and naval expenditure, with ultimate disarmament in view. .Endowment of motherhood, maternity care and, infant life protection will be provided for, besides free hospitals and medical aid, pensions to widows and orphans. The platform advocates the Australian system of newspaper postage, State owned ships. <t State bank, extension of <heh present Post Office Rank to the conduct of international transactions. Land Tax.—An addition of twopence is provided for on unimproved land without exception, and the unimproved land value tax to be increased each year by the amount added each year to the unimproved value of the land. The revenue so raised is to be used to reduce the cost of living- by the reduction of the customs duties on the necessaries of life not produced in the Dominion. It will also be used to reduce railway freights and fares, the provision for homes and farms as croing concerns, tbe State to clear the land. Education.—To be free and secular troni kindergarten to university, with compulsory attendance in the primary grades. A rbht-to-work Bill is to ensure nirainst unemployment and a minimum wage provided for six hours per dav, a weekly day of rest and Saturday halfholiday. J