LABOUR'S CAUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 81, 7 April 1931, Page 9

LABOUR'S CAUSE.

UNITY OF WORKERS URGED.

SOCIALISATION OI" CREDIT.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Monday.

A survey of the economic position of New Zealand was made by Mr. J. Thorn, president of the New Zealand Labour party, m the course of his address at the annual conference of the party, which opened to-day. He referred to the displacement of men by machines, and said the remedy was to reduce hours and to pay wages which would allow the workers to come effectively into the market. From the position of the Dominions, as he saw it, said Mr. Thorn, he thought the following deductions reasonable: —

"That New Zealand's interests are constantly in jeopardy while it almost entirely relies on the London' market, where a disastrous fall in prices may be ordained by manipulators and speculators.

Development of Local Markets. "That the gradual development of New Zealand's local market is desirable to lessen the need to sell in London, and as our production is increased it should be devoted to the liquidation of our indebtedness abroad.

' "That to accomplish this development there should be socialisation of New Zealand's credit resources and their devotion to the stimulation of primary and secondary industries."

Referring to the solution of presentday problems, Mr. Thorn said: "Two things are certain. One is that a remedy cannot be applied by magic. The other is that there is no solution whatever that will take tfie workers' interests and well-being into account unless the workers unite industrially and politically and are ready for the patient yet determined work involved in a reconstructive policy. The situation requires, I think, efforts in the following directions:

"A trades union movement which can visualise itself in the. role of the creator of a new society based on co-operation, and which fully appreciates the value of political action, because it is now impossible to confine the definition of industrial questions to negotiations that go on between workers and employers. Co-operation Suggested. "That there be the fullest possible unity between trade unions and the Labour party, with frequent consultations in a spirit of helpfulness and comradeship, so that the most vital effect can be produced in every situation as it arises, and so that propaganda and Parliamentary work might have the full benefit of combination.

"That contacts be established with the many organisations serving humanitarian purposes. That endeavours be made to meet the farmers' organisations for discussion on common problems'with the object of gaining opinion for the Labour party's the farmers are at least entitled to the same economic security and advantages as it is asking for the wage workers, and so that a bond of common interest between the two bodies of workers might be strengthened."