THE POLITICAL LABOUR LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12485, 23 April 1906, Page 2

THE POLITICAL LABOUR LEAGUE.

ITS PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES. THE HON. J. RIGG INTERVIEWED. In one important respect the Conference held in connection with the Independent Political Labour League of New Zealand differs materially from similar gatherings. "When a body of men meet in conclave and par.c a budget of more or lees ambitious resolutions, the paramount object usually is to impress the Government and pereaade it into making some concession. But the Independent foutioai Labour .League is evidently bunt ot sieruer stun; it "scorns tno action ,, of creeping, hat in hand, to the Premier, 10 huinoiy crave a boon. 'in at was the unmistakable impreseion an interview with the Hon. J. Itigg, "the tatner ot the League, lea on mc mind of a. "Press" reporter who Jsougat an interview with him. " lou may have noticed that, in some respects, we followed very much hi tlie lines traversed by the Tructes and Labour Councils Conference/ remarked Mr Kigg. "i'or instance-, the Trades Council Conference had pa&ed resolutions urging the uovefaHient to do certain things, and the League Conference had passed resolutions mat tno law of distress for rent should be abolished, and landlords placed on tho came footing as ordinary creditors; and ' alao that tree medical attendance tor the poor should be provkiod by the State. But there is a diiterence in the methods of the two bodies; the Trades and Labour Councils make it a practice to wait upon tno Pi em.er, as Minister for Labour, and argue in support oi the resolutions pa&:*>d. Hut we have no intention of coing anything like thatj we do not caro whetuer or not the Government or anybody eL-e taker, any notice of our resolutions. These matters are intended to form an indication to our members and those in sympathy with us, of some ot the principles we enall seek to carry into envct wiien wo have the power in Parliament to do co. We are "not going to beg for anything from the Government; make

that quite clear. We shall wait until we have some etrength in the House itself, and can secure what we desire without having to beg and pray for l>elp from the Government." After this clear-cut exposition of unbending independence, the president of the League went on to deal with the Conference which closed on Thursday night. Ho expressed hie satisfaction at the good attendance throughout, and tho buainews-liUe manner in which the work had been done by the delegates. He then indulged in a little mild and I kindiy criticism. "The Conference was remafiTablo rather for the remits \ that were rejected than for those which wero adopted," he said, "and in this respect it seem* that the Conference showed a conservative attitude that should bo appreciated by your readers. Take, for instance, its attitude on the liquor question; it was moved:—''That tho reduction issue on the licensing ballot paper be withdrawn, and replaced by tho question, 'Are you in favour of State control without compensation. , " But the proposal was rejected, and so was a. second remit—"That where restoration is carried in no-lioenee districts, the sale of liquor be carried on by the State"—it being decided to retain the present fighting platform, under which every candidate has a free hand on the liquor question. Then there was. the refusal to add ■to the League's platform the plank that the poll tax on Ohineso immigrants be increased to £1000. although the Conference wae in favour of measures which would lead to the total exclusion of the race.

But on the other hand, some important planks were added to our plat'forrn, as. for instance, that dealing wjth, the land question. The League lias adopted the recommendation made m the minority report of the Land Commission in resolving— "That there should be no further leases of land under the lease-in-perpetuity system, and no future lease should be for a longer term than forty years, tenants to xeoeive valuation for their improvements." It would have been more satisfactory, to mc, personally, if the proposal to eliminate the periodical rovaJuaJhcn of existing leß«>s-in-per-petuity had been struck out, but I regard that as secondary to the princbp.b tfajt is advanced in the new plank I have mentioned." Discussing the objects of the League 6 Conferences generally, Mr Kigg said the idea was to seek the improvement of the League in evSry direction possible, very little valul UP ° n T a °? debates. 5L i^ UI ? ,n S OT « Independent j^ member to the Houw, far more good would result than from the passing of jny number of resolutions With held *bL in *Z I*"'1 *"' *'" Conk"*"* was held, for the purpose of making aUemtionsto the lJ£w S ru!<*~hSS JSST , ""^V^ , P'^form.S suggesting methods whereby tho , branches might make their organisation more-effective. That was S? SS foTfroml" S S r° Jet,,rn was ior trom the time spent in conference. Organisation was regarded Js ell- important, the main object bX to secure the return of an indepenfen? Labour Party to Parliament anTa fa*r During Hie conference the question arose ac to whether members of the I<f«gue should support an outside c2\! d date, in the event of not havb, e ono of their own to put forward. Various opinions were expressed, and the reporter accordingly sought the view of the President.

"TMiere a branch is established, I « m opposed to supporting any carididatc who is not a member," replied Mr K'gg; but in districts where we hare m> branches, I think the influent of lof the League should certainty be utij livd by supporting the Candida tevwhoc-<? J views are meet in accord with ours. If ;we are thus instrumental in returning a I candidate wo establish, I think, n claim Jon his gratitude, and wo may ultimately persuade him to join us. Tlion, en the other hand, when he knows that our I support played an important part in re- ' Miming him, he will naturally be anxious, when dealing with labour question-, to adopt an attitude that will meet with our approval." Mr Riggadded that whilst the Conference decidej that. 011 bide Parliament, the attitude of the League should bo one of absoluo independence, it reaffirmed the principle contained in the rules, that when the question of a vote of confidence in the Government cropped up, the Labour Party in Parliament should be guided by the action of a majority of its member* in oaucus assembled.