ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9650, 5 July 1919, Page 5

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON, July 4

The Peace terms and the international situation were discussed at the conference of the Labour Party- to-day, and a manifesto ■- placing on record Labour's unqualified condemnation of the terms of the Treaty was adopted unanimously. The reasons were set out at length. Tlie conference declared in favour of self-determination; for Ireland, Egypt, India, and all subject peoples, and joins with the workers*elsewhere in demanding the- withdrawal of.' Allied troops from Russia and other Socialistic republics. :.'. The conference also declared unreservedly' in favour 'of lifting the blockade against Russia. The Council \ adopted ; the' following remit: —" That this conference regards the present haphazard way'of enrolling electors as extremely unsatisfactory, and urges, the' Government to take action in the direction of having this important work entirely carried out by the State and local bodies."

Another remit adopted urged the Education Department to establish special schools for mentally deficient, temporarily delicate, and backward children.

The conference affirmed the principle of a five days' working week of 40 hours.' • . It was decided- to draw the attention of the Government to the. unsatisfactory manner in which school committee elections are carried on.