LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1336, 13 January 1912, Page 5

LABOUR CONFERENCE.

COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH NEW ZEALAND. MOTION BY MR. FISHER, THE FATE OF ONE THE FATE OF THE OTHER. Bj Teleirapli—Press A«aociatlo»-o»prT!«a. Hobart, January 12. At tho Labour Conference, a motion to tho effect that in the event of constitutional power being obtained a national sugar refinery should be established was carried. It was also agreed that publicly-owned ironworks wero an urgent necessity. It was decided to send a letter of fraternal greetings to tho Social Democratic Party in Germany wishing it success at the elections. A motion by Mr. Fisher, seconded by Mr. M'Gowen, that negotiations for closer industrial and commercial relations with New Zealand should ba opened immediately was carried. Mr. Fisher declared that it wag well known that trouble in tho Pacific would have to be met by all Australasia. Thoy should sound New Zealand's opinions. Mr. M'Gowen said a widened federation by tho inclusion of New/ Zealand was necessary for tho welfare of the Statos. A motion that State members of Parliament should be eligible to contest Federal seats without resigning was carried. (Rec. January 12, 10.30 j>,m.) Hobart, January 12. Mr. Fisher's motion declared that, being impressed with the belief that tho interests, welfaro, and safety of the Commonwealth and New Zealand are mutually bound up with each other, the conference considers that it is extremely desirable that closer political, industrial, and commercial relations should be established between the two countries, .and recommends tho Commonwealth Government immediately to open negotiations with the Now Zealand Government on tho lines of the resolution.' Mr. Fisher declared that the Dominion would undoubtedly favour tho federation of the two peoples, who both recognised that the fate of one would bo tho fate of tho other if ever they happened to come in conflict with greater peoples 'moro powerful than themselves. It way becoming that tho Labour party should take the lead in opening negotiations with New Zealand. Mr. M'Gowen (Premier of New South Wales), in seconding the motion, said Australia had to deplore tho fact that New Zealand was out of the federation when thoy realised that tho Dominion had led them all in tho early days of democratic and progressive legislation, and was not now allied, but a rather formidable opponent in certain directions. The wisdom of her being with the rest (;f Australasia was admitted, lie believed, from every standpoint, not only in the interests of Australia,. but also in' the interests of Australasia, that New Zealand and the rest of tho islands of the Pacific should- bo allied.