INDEPENDENT LABOUR LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 80, 28 December 1907, Page 4

INDEPENDENT LABOUR LEAGUE.

ANNUAL. CONFERENCE. A FIGHTING PLATFORM. ' (by telegbape—press association.) Christchurch, December 27. Tho Annual Conference of the Independent Labour League openedthis morning. Dele- - gates were present from Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland, Karangahake, Ashburton, and Wanganui. Mr. James Thorn was elected President;. The following telegram wis received from Mr. J. A.- M'Cullough: — "Hearty good wishes for a successful conference.. I trust the Liberal-Labour delusion will receive its quietus forever in New, Zealand. Let Labour , Conquers Everything ' be your motto, and .don't forget freedom of speech for all public servants." . It was' resolved to send, a telegram of welcome to Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P. Mr. Howard moved, and Mr. Campbell seconded, "That tho word 'Independent' bo struck out in the title of the' organisa-' tioii." ■ Mr. Haymcs moved as an amendment, and Mr. Douglas seconded, '/That the branches be asked for expression of opinion as'to the advisability of altering the name to the 'Socialist Labour Party.'" The Chairman explained that the idea in striking out the word " Independent V was that it was connected in the minds of many, country-mem-bers with " Independent " members of Para class of member not held estimation. The amendment was negatived, by 10 to 5. Mr. Horning moved " That the League "be called the ' Independent Labour Party. " He said that the reason; tho Auckland branch wished a change was that the Press confused the -League with the Liberal and Labour Federation, and that was a thing thoy could 'not rest under. Mr. .Webb seconded. This amendment was negatived by 8 to o. Tho motion was-agreed to by 8 to 5. Mr. Munro moved that "Rule 38 be altered to read ; 'No member of tho Labour party shall joiu any, Ministry not mainly composed of their, own party unless approved of by a two-thirds majority of tho party in the Houso."' Mi - .' Chapman seconded..the motion pro forma, but pointed out the danger of tho proposal; citing tho case of Mr. John Burns as an indication of what would happen. Mr. Campbell cited similar, instances in Australian politics.. Mr. Brown spoke strongly against tho motion, and considered that if it was agreed to it would abrogate the fundam<iHt'iil f «mciples' 'of s . the' League.Mr. Broen said, .tliat.was,.not ■ the, idea p£ tho Dunedin -branch.; Ho, pointed out that in tho case of an elective executive members of tho Labour party could only vote either for Liberal or Opposition. Ministers. ' After , further discussion the motion was - lost by 10. to 4. A further amendment to the rulo providing that no member of the party should join any Ministry,, not Wholly composed of members of their own body was lost. Air. Douglas moved, ' and Mr. Sullivan seconded: • "That candidates for Parliamentary elections shall havo their campaign expenses' paid by the League; and if returned tho candidates to pay 10 per cent, of their salary to the Leagu'o." Strong objection was taken by several speakers to tho last clause of the motion; The mover said tho idea, was that tho amount returned bv the elected candidates would bo a fund to onsure their expenses for next election. The motion was agreed to-by seven to five. When the decision was givon some who voted for the motion wished to move an amendment striking out tho last part of the motion, but the President ruled that the amendment should have been moved before the voto was taken. Mr. Breen moved: "That a committee be appointed to. draw up a fighting platform for next election, such platform to consist of the reforms wlfich the League, has reasonable hope of carrying' into effect during next Parliament.!' He pointed 'out that they recognised that some of the planks of the League's lighting platform could not bo carriod for many yours to comb. Ho urged that a platform should bo put forward that would appeal to the workers. Mr. Douglas seconded tlie motion, and said/that if a simpler platform was put forward it would do much to assist the League's candidates! The : President formally, welcomed to the Conference tho Hon. J. T. Paul.; In acknowledging the Conference's welcome, Mr. Paul said that tho most pressing necessity bofore the workers i to-day was organisation. If they could screw up the' wowsers' to the necessity for, voting as one mail thcro would be little need for all independent party in Parliament. If it could be shown that the Labour voto in tho country represented so many thousands, that in itself would be an effect that could not be overlooked by tho riiost Tory politicians in tho country. A unitod Labour party could do more good than a party divided into sections; It; was decided to send a letter of congratulation to Mr. J. A.-M'Cullough on his appointment to. tho Arbitration Court. The Conforonce then adjourned till to-mor-row.