UNITY OF LABOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 88, 14 April 1913, Page 6

UNITY OF LABOUR.

PROGRESS OF NEW MOVEMENT. In view of the congress that is to be held in Wellington in July next, with the object of formulating a common basis for the firm , establishment of a united federation of labour and social democratic party in New Zealand, the leaders of the movement are,busily carrying out a campaign of propaganda 'work. When the first congress was held in January laat between representatives of unions in the various labour organisations in the Dominion, a " Unity Congress Committee " was set up to map out a programme of meetings to. be held in the various centres. It wae incidental to this programme that Mr P. H. Hickey, secretary to the : Unity. Congress Committee, - addressed a crowded meeting of trades unionists and others in the Royal Albert Hall last night, Mr E. E. Canham (president of the Waterside Workers' Union) in the chair.

Mr Hickey returned south by the midday express to-day. Prior to his departure he informed a"' Star" reporter that up to Mie present time fully 150 unions had signified their intention of being represented at the <big congress in July, and this despite the fact that no official, invitations had yet been sent out. Formal notices of the congress will be issued next week. Invitations will be extended not only to representatives of unions, but also to officers and members of the various branches of the United Labour party, the Federation of Labour, the -Socialist party, Fabian societies, and other kindred bodies, so that in the event of unity being established steps may be taken at once for the practical •amalgamation of the different units into one big organisation. Indications point to the presence at the congress of between. 250 anid 300 delegates, and, said Mr Hickey, the Unity Committee confidently expects to effect the unity of labour, and thus to mark an epoch in the history of the labour movement in the Dominion. The new organisation will, it is believed, foe a significant factor in all public matters politically, and a much more active force industrially. It is especially encouraging (to the organisers to find on ev«ry hand that unions which were at first inclined to hold aloof are now entering into the new movement with enthusiasm, and have expressed their belief that, what were regarded as insurmountable obstacles' can be overcome on a fair basis of compromise.