LABOUR POINT OF VIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 168, 18 July 1910, Page 2

LABOUR POINT OF VIEW.

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

The annual conference of delegates from the various Trades and Labour Councils in the Dominion was opened at the Municipal Buildings this morning. The delegates present were: Auckland —J. Savage, T. Walsh, H. L. Horning, W. S. Moxsom; Wellington—E. J. Carey, W. C. Noot, P. L. Muir, J. Hutchison; Christchurch —G. R. Whiting, J. Young, D. G. Sullivan, E. J. Howard: Otago—R. Breen, Hon. J. T. Paul; Southland—T. O'Byrne and J. Alswieler; South Canterbury —J. Reade. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. L. J. Bagnall) was introduced to the conference by Mr. J. F. Arnold, M.P., who said it was eight years since the delegates had met in Auckland. The members were delighted to be here. Yesterday they had the pleasure of a drive round the suburbs, and those who knew Auckland were astonished at the marvellous extension that had taken place 6ince they were last in the North. Mr. Arnold referred his Worship to the agenda paper, a perusal of which would show that the work of the conference w-as a very important one. He was sure his Worship would, as an employer of labour, and as a former employee, sympathise, if not with everything that was being done, at least with the objects the conference had in view. j His Worship, welcoming the delegates to Auckland, said he had always been in sympathy with the legitimate claims of labour, and he thought the great majority of people, though perhaps they were misunderstood, desired the labour classes to Teceive the best wa-ge3 and enjoy the best conditions possible. He trusted the delegates would spend a pleasant visit to the city, and that the conference would be a most successful one. Mr. H. L. Horning, the senior Auckland delogate, was voted to the chair for the election of the conference officials. Messrs. G. R. Whiting (Canterbury), W. C. Noot (Wellington), and J. Savage (Auckland) were nominated for the chairmanship, and a ballot resulted in Mr. Whiting being successful. Mr. J. Young (Canterbury) was appointed secretary. Mr. Gilbert, of the Auckland, branch of the New Zealand Labour party, welcomed the visiting delegates to Auckland. NEW ZEALAND LABOUR PARTY. Mr. Breen (Otago) wanted to know what this "New Zealand Labour Party" was. They didn't know anything about it in Otago. The only Labour party they were acquainted with was the Political Labour League. The Chairman explained that the party was formed as a result of Mr. Hogg's ! tour after he left the Ministry. Mr. E. Howard (Canterbury) wished •to know whether the original Labour I party called into being by the Trades and Labour Council was dead? I After some further discussion, bhc I matter was dTopped, on the understanding that the delegates would have an ; opportunity of expressing themselves on the subject at a later stage. Tihe Chairman formally welcomed itrJ. F. Arnold, Labour member in the House of Representatives for Dunedin, who was present at the request of the Executive. Mr. Arnold, after congratulating Mr. Whiting on his appointment as chairman, said the conference was the most I important that had been held for many ! years, and on the result of it depended the possibilities' of closer union in the . Labour ranks in the future.