NEW LABOUR PARTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 7 March 1913, Page 4

NEW LABOUR PARTY.

Indications are not wanting that a largo section of the labouring classes in New Zealand have no sympathy with the alliance between Messrs. Mills and Semple. The combination of moderate labourites with Socialists ajid Syndicalists is viewed with deep concern. Indeed, so utterly opposed are a section of the workers to such a combination that they have resolved upon founding an entirely new Labour Party. The movement has started in Auckland, and has every prospect of sproading throughout the Dominion. The platform of the new party is as follows r—"(1) Increased old ago pensions, 'with the lowering of the age at which the pensions may be drawn, with the ultimate object of making pensions universal. "(2) The extension of the principle of public-owned general and maternity hospitals, so as to bring medical aid within the reach of all citizens, particularly our country • settlers and farmers. In this latter respect the party advocates the establishment of branches of ""he medical and nursing services, especially . for the assistance of those brave men and women who live and toil far away in the back blocks. "(3) Free education from the primary school to the university, and the standardisation of our secondary schools, etc., hoard and lodging at State expense for students in need of such. "(4) Compulsory arbitration, which will consign strikes and lockouts to the limbo of useless things; and. a number of other minor alterations in our industrial lawis to secure the harmonious and efficient carrying out of those laws, as well as the guaranteeing to every citizen of a sufficient living wage and better housing schemes. "(5). A defence .system based on a I citizen ar.my, modelled similarly to that of Switzerland, which is nearly ideal for a democratic State, A systematic defence will also entail the creation of a naval unit, and probably oonioint action with the ■Commonwealth, on lines -ecently suggested by the Admiralty. "(6) Reform of cmr voting system, to proportional representation."