LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 244, 8 July 1908, Page 7

LABOUR.

COMMONWEALTH PARTY'S CONFERENCE. . "ADVANCED" POLICY. PRESENT OBJECTS, AND ULTIMATE IDEALS. (BY TELEGRAPH—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) Brisbane, July 7'. The Commonwealth Labour Conference, after discussing tho rejection of a number of proposals tending to bring tho Labour policy more into lino with' Continental Socialism, reaffirmed its objective, which provides for: — Tho cultivation of Australian sentiment, based upon tho maintenance on national purity. The development in Australia of an enlightened, self-reliant community. The securing of tho full results of their industry to producers by collective ownership ,of monopolies. The extension of the economic functions of the State and municipalities. Speaking at a subsequent banquet, Mr. Fisher, M.P., Leader of the Federal Labour party, said it had been said that some of the Labour advocates were likoly, by going too far, to endanger.the movement, but they had to remember that a few years ago tho policy of tho Labour party now accepted by tho Conservatives was regarded as too advanced. He believed that in the futuro every party would claim the policy the Labour party was now putting forward.

Mr. Watson, M.P.,'ex-Leader of tho party, said the object of the. party should not be to gain immediate results', but rather to hold out to the community of tho depressed somo beacon for the future—the possibility of improving their own condition and tho condition of their children. They could not- at present fasten the whole of their attention on the millennium.

Mr. Watson intimated that though ho was severing his connection with politics, for the present at any rate, his connection with tho Labour party would continue as long as he was of any use to it. GRADUATED LAND TAX ADOPTED. UNIVERSAL STRIKE. LEADER PREFERS PARLIAMENTARY, METHODS. ' ' "WOMEN AS SENATORS. (Rec. July 7, 11.23 p.m.) Brisbane, July 7.

The Conference of the Commonwealth Labour party was presided over by Mr. Fisher. It was decided, 'after a long debate, that a graduated land'tax on tho unimproved value be imposed on 'estates over £5000 in value. .

In his speech at the banquet Ifr. Fisher said ho looked forward to the time when every child attending school would be periodically examined by a doctor and protected against tho ravages of disease, and, if necessary, properly clothed and. fed as well. Ho trusted that at the next federal elections women would bo endorsed as Labour candidates for the Senate.-

Ho favoured ' proceeding by way of tho law; to help 'workers. There were two ways open—a universal strike, and tho providing of tho .necessary course in order to seo thatworkers get . just •remuneration.' Ho believed in the latter method. Ho believed they ' had' reached" a stage in Australia where, with universal suffrage and.an educated; democracy, they could' do" in Parliament for tho workers what they could not .accomplish by 'a universal strike. .COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE. A LOCAL NAVY. STATE .BANK—DIRECT TAXATION. ' (Rec. July 8, 0.21 a.m.) Brisbane, July 7. After a vigorous discussion on the eighth plank of tho oxisting platform, dealing with military protection, it is understood that the delegates agreed' to the establishment of a system of compulsory military training of all males between certain ages. They also favoured the establishment'of a purely Australian navy for coastal defence, 1 the money for the purpose to bo raised by direct taxation. • Tho establishment of a Commonwealth Bank was made a plank of the fighting platform, and tho institution of a Commonwealth insurance, scheme was made , a plank of tho general platform. Mr. J. C. Watson,- formerly leader of the Federal Labour party, writing recently, to his brother in • Hastiugs (says a Press Association tolegram) stated liis intention-of retiring from politics and accepting the editorship of a new journal being started in New South 'Wales'. Jlr. J. C. Watson served liis apprenticeship as a compositor on the " Oamaru Mail."