ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12483, 20 April 1906, Page 5

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

The Annual Conference of delegates from the various branches of the independent Political Labour League or New Zealand was resumed Lat>i night, the President (the Hon. J. Kigg) presiding. MEMBERSHIP OF UNIONS. Mr J. Patterson (Christehurch) moved an amendment to the ruicc, making it dear that Unions pay according to the members who Had eigned the League's pkidae. .Ur E. Golins seconded tho motion, which was carried. VISIT OF BRITISH LABOUR MEMBERS. Tho President referred to the proposed visit til British Labour memoers of Parliament, and explained that it wak highly doirablo that the tour of New Zealand should, bo made under the ! auspices ol the League. Communications had been opened up. and it was hoped that f<Uifactory arrangements ior the would bo arrived at. A motion w-.is paused endorsing the action of the Executive. PROPOSED CO-OPKRATIVE NEWSPAPER. Mr J. Patterson moved a Chnstchiirch remit iiflirming the durability ot establishing a co-operative newspaper in connection with the League. Tho motion having been socoik.od, tho President said a duily newspaper would bo out of the question at prmMit. Discussion followed, and an amendment was carried retelling tho matter to the Executive, with a recommendation that steps be taken to pu-h the Hales ot the two Labour papers in Otago and Auckland. ANNUAL REPORT. Tho Rcnfii-al tec-rotary's annual report referred to the work that l.ad been done by tho League during the year, and stated tliat an official of tho Liberal and labour Federation, had entered tho lanks of tho League in ordv-r to spy out its strength. It awo referred to* tJio dismissal'of Mr H. A. Campbell (secretary of the Midhuret branch) from the Public Works Department under circumstances which, it was alleged, pointed strongly to petty tyranny on tho part of certain officials, prompted by hostility to the League. That was not tho only similar cm-s that bad come under the notice of the Executive, and an enquiry made to tho Hon. W. Hall-Joass elicited no reply. Tho report was adopted, as •was the balanoc-iheet, wliich was taken in committee. THE EXECUTIVE On it he motion of Mr Campbell (Taihape), it was resolved that the Executive'b headquarters ivmain in Wellington, several delegates paj-ing a veiy warm tribute to tJie President for tho splendid work hp had done. Tho proee.nt Executive was re-elected. The Executive was 'feoominended to draw up a ecbenie providing for direct representation ot the branches on tlis Jixecutive. It was decided to hold a social tonight at Montreal street Hall. Tho Executive was empowered to fill any vacancies thaib might occur during ite term of office. THE NEXT CONFERENCE. It was decided, by 11 votes to 8, to hold tho next oenierence at Dunodin, an amendment in favour of Auckland being lost. Tho desirability of holding tho oanferen.ee at a different time from tho Trades and Labour Council's Conference was affirmed, and it was resolved to meet during Easter week, a. proposal favouring Christinas boing defeated. A hearty vota of. thanks was accorded the President and the secretary for their work during the conference, high appreciation being expressed of the efforts of the former, who w : as "tho father of tho League." A vote of thanks was passed to the Christchureh newspapers for "the admirable flind intelligent manner in which the reporters Iliad reported tho proceedings.'' A similar compliment to "the Executivo for its work during tho year was passed, and also to Mr Bell, the general secretary of tho League. The conference then closed.