LABOUR'S DIVISIONS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13005, 6 January 1908, Page 2

LABOUR'S DIVISIONS.

a THE HON. T. J. PAUL'S VIEWS. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") DUNEDIN, January 4. The Hon. J. T. Paul, writing "on the Political Labour League Conference, says it failed absolutely, in nob attempting to do the most pressing work lying nearest its hand. It made no attempt to consolidate- the Labour forces, and made no attempt to meet the large section of the workers. From what one might judge, ns a constant attendant during its deliberations, the conference did not seem to care about anybody wh6 would not swallow the dose it offered. It was totally oblivious to all. consideration for other men or for other organisations in bulk, and did not realise the necessities or the responsibilities of the situation, nor what was demanded from it in tho matter of bringing about solidarity. Tho most glaring example of the inability of tho conference to become seized of the necessities of the situation, was when, on the casting vote of the chairman, it rejected a proposal to frame a short fighting platform for reforms immediately required to be pushed forward in the new Parliament. A short platform in. preference to the very long one was not proposed in. any way to -abrogate the present platform. Mr Raikes, of the Cathedral Cizy League, kindly' gave a social to welcome the visiting delegates, end an open invitation was given to all interested in the Labour cause. The attendance was not large, and notable absentees were those who, for many years, have wrought for the cause of Labour in the Cathedral City. Surely some organisation was wanted, under which all Labour men would at cnoo unite. The division, was noticeable even in tho street on a Saturday night.