WORKERS' POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 148, 23 June 1906, Page 5

WORKERS' POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

THE PLATFORM. [BT TXUCOXAFH— FUSS ASSOCIATIOS \ CHRISTCHURCH, 22nd June. At a meeting held in Christchurch some little time ago of labour representatives from different centres it was unanimously resolved to form an association brood enough in its constitution and platform to meet the requirements of all classes of workers. It was decided to call the proposed body the New Zealand Workers' Political Association, and a sub-com-mittee was set up to draft a constitution and platform, which in due course was submitted to workers in the various centres, and approved by them. Thesa steps have sinee -been ratified at a local meeting, and Mr. John Ban, president of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, selected president. The objects of the association are stated to, be to advance the social, economic, and political interests of the workers of New Zealand. The platform includes constitution reform by (a) The referendum and iniative, (b) election of the members of the Legislative Council, (c) elective Land Boards; also the immediate stoppage of sale of Crown lands, and more vigorous application of the lands for settlement policy, the acquisition of lands for closer settlement by conversion of the Bank of New Zealand into a State bank, with sole right of note issue; establishment of State sawmills, smelting works, ammunition works, and flour mills; the extension of old-age pensions, the acquisition by the State of all private-owned railway lines, the establishment of a State- ferry service between the North and South Islands and between Onehunga and New Plymouth, and State river and lake steamboat services.