LIBERAL AND LABOUR FEDERATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 216, 10 September 1903, Page 2

LIBERAL AND LABOUR FEDERATION.

The Liberal and Labour Federation met last evening. , '■ Marsden Branch.—A letter was received from Whangarei announcing the establish meut of a branch ol'.thc Federation for the MarsdMi electorate: of Whangarei, and asking for various information as to modes of procedure. Defending Mr Seddon.—Mr Leydon said it was in the memory of all tho members that during the debate on the Fire Insurance Bill an unwarrantable attack was made on the Premier by Mr T. Taylor, of Christchurch, who accused Mr Seddon of placing members of his family in highlypaid and'responsible positions. The members of the Federation would agree with him that Mr Seddon's record in this respect stood out in favourable contrast to the state of affairs which existed before his time, when It was a well known fact in Wellington that unless a man belonged to certain families or possessed their influence he had no chance of getting- into the Civil Service. The attack of Mr Taylor must be looked upon with grief and abhorrence by all honourable men who read it. He desired to move, "That the Auckland branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand desires to express its sympathy with the Hon. the Premier in the unwarrantable attacks made upon him by Mr T. Taylor, M.H.R. for Christchurch, and o th-ers during the debate on the State Fire Insurance Bill."—Mr Gr3shajn,eeconding, said not only had the. Soddon Government been distinguished by an absence of favouritism, but men with known strong Conservative l-oan-ings had boon given important appointments. This was the case with Judge Edwards.—Mr Nerhcny: And Sir Robert Stout. —Mr Oresham said no one doubted the eminent fitness of these men fox their positions, but the circumstance served to show that the attacks on the Premier wer*>unfounded and to i-eeall the fact that the converse had never been known to happon during a Conservative Administration.—Mr Hitchens supported the motion, which was carried with acclamation.

Single Electorates Bill. — Mr McVe-agh moved, "That this Federation approves of the City Single Electorates Bill now before the House, and believes it to be a measure worthy of the support of all true Liberals." He remarked that if the bill succeeded in abolishing plumping it would thereby do good service to the colony.—Mr Joseph Molloy seconded the motion, which was carried.

State Fire Insurance.—Mr J. J. Jenkins moved, "That this Federation congratulates the Premier on the Government bringing in a State Fire Insurance Bill, and expresses tho hope that it will soon be placed on the statute book of the colony."—Mr Hitchena sceonded the motion, ■ which was unanimously carried. .