LABOUR CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 102, 23 January 1908, Page 7

LABOUR CONFERENCE

PARTY NOT BOUND. SOCIALIST TEXT REJECTED. "SEALED ORDERS." «r Tii.EGßira—press association—corißiGin. (Rec. Jan. 22, 10.47 p.m.) London, January 22. At the Conference of the Labour party at 1 Hull, Mr. J. Atkinson, representative of tho Paper Stumers' Union of General Workers, moved an addition to tho; party's platform to commit it to Socialism. A WRITTEN PLATFORM. In the present platform, the object of the party is stated to bo "to' organise and maintain a Parliamentary Labour party, with its own whips and policy.'.' The amendment of tho Paper Stainers' Union sought to delete the words: "and policy/' and to. substitute the following:— "Whoso-ultimate object shall be the obtaining for the workers tho full results of their labour by the overthrow of the present competitive system of capitalism and tho institution of a system of public ownership and control of all the means of life." ADVISERS FROM THE COMMONS. Mr. A. Grayson, Labour memEor of the House of Commons for Coluo Valley, declared that t\ioy could not attain Socialism, until an intelligent democracy wanted it with all their hearts. He was convinced that the wholo trond of modem pociotj and industrial ■ revolution 'was towards Socialism. Mr. H. Quelch, Socialist ieader, protested that the Labour party, with its present platform, was sailing under sealed orders. Messrs. J. R. Clynes, A; El. Gill, and P, F. v ; Curran, Labour members of 1 the Commons, protested against coercion, which must disrupt the present alliance between the Labour party and the Labour Unionists. .- REJECTED. Ultimately Mr. Atkinson's, motion was rebooted by 951,000 to 91,000. Mr. W. Thome, Labour M.P. for West Ham South, moved: "That the time has arrived for the Labour party ; to : declaro a definite municipal and Parliamentary programme, based upon ,thc resolutions passed by the annual conference." Mr. Quelch seconded the motion, which was defeated by , a-large margin without a division. STATE OWNERSHIP. ' ABOLISH THE HOUSE OF LORDS. ; (Rec, Jan. 22, 11.52 p.m.), . . London/ January 22. The' Conference endorsed tho nationalisation of railways and the: payment of mombors of Parliament. .It resolved in favour of tho abolition of the House, of Lords without discussion. Mr. Clynes urged that.it is, better to preaoh Socialism in tho country than to quarrel about it at the. Conference.