N.Z. WORKERS POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12571, 14 August 1906, Page 5

N.Z. WORKERS POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

Mr John- Barr (president) presided at the last meeting of tho }\er\- Zealand' Workers' Political Association. Nineteen new members wero elected. Mr J. A. Hanan, member for Invercargill, wroto apologising for his inability to bo present. A complaint was received regarding wages paid to a number cf men employed in connection with the International Exhibition. It was decided to make further enquiries before taking action. The agenda pa Der of the Farmers' Union Colonial Conference was discmisxT, and it was resolved ■—"That while generally disagreeing with the fiolicy of the Farmers,' Utfaon, particuarly in regard to tho land question, tliis Association approves, on principle, of tho questions for submission to the Colonial Conference numbered 10, 26, 2g, 42, 46, 48, 60, 83, 85, 87, and 89." Members expressed themselves as bouig surprised, albeit pleased, at tho tiirmistakeably Socialistic.trend of the questions approved of. Mr H. G. Ell, M.H.R., offered to supply circulars containing an article, "Reduction of Taxation." It was decided to accept Mr Ell's offer, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him for hiis gift. A complaint regarding the working of tho State Coal Depot was received. Messrs Ell and Tanner, MtH.R.'s, consented to take the -matter up, and power to act was giveai them. A report in connection with, tho formation of a branch at Invercargill was received. Messrs J. Barr, H. 11. Rusbridge, H. G. Ell, and M. J. Fordo were appointed a committee to draft a letter for submission to the next meeting, urging the Colonial Treasurer to endeavour to liberalise the policy of tho Bank of New Zealand in the direction of charging trading capital to local industries. Other resolutions carried wero: (1) That this Association urges tho Minister for Agriculture to import seed potatoes, and distribute in small quantiticß for seed purposes only at ccst price to workers* requiring them"; (2) "That this Association urges that tho proposal of tho late Premier to remove the duty on potatoes bo givem effect to"; (3) "That a protest be mado to tho Colonial Treasurer against power being given to tho Bank of- New Zealand to grant mere than a 5 per cent, dividend per annum on share capital, whfther owned by the State or by) private shareholders."