LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 136, 15 July 1914, Page 3

LABOUR CONFERENCE.

SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY. Press Association. WELLINGTON, .fitly 14. The first annual conference Of the Social-Democratic Party opened to-day. Delegates representing 75 affiliated organisations were in attendance. Mr H. Hunter ((Hi ristchurcli East) occupied the chair. It was unanimously resolved to invite the Social-Democratic Party members of Parliament to attend the conference. "The annual report was submitted and unanimously adopted. The report stated that contributions had been received from a membership of 7000, and this had .increased since the report had been drafted. The balance sheet disclosed a satisfactory financial condition, and it was adopted unanimously.

The conference decided to present to Parliament a petition already signed and to solicit the co-operation of SocialDemocratic members in getting a division in the House on the question of the release of the strike prisoners. The returning officer supervising the ballot on the election of the party's officers reported the results as follow: Presideut, Mr 11. Hunter (Christehurch East); vice-president, Mr F. (Jooke (Christehurch Tailoring Trade Union); national organiser, Mr 11. Scott Bennett (Auckland branch); Mr W. Fraser was elected unopposed as national secretary and treasurer.

During the afternoon remits amending the constitution were discussed. No material alteration was agreed to.