TO-DAY'S'CONFERENCE BUSINESS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue LXXVI, 1 July 1908, Page 2

TO-DAY'S 'CONFERENCE BUSINESS.

The conference of Federated Waterside Workers was resumed to-day. Mr* F. Burton (Wellington) presided. . Mr. D. McLaren (Wellington) moved, Mr. Farland (Wellington) seconded, and it was carried : "That this conference, on behalf of the federation, uphold tho action of the Dunedin Union in demanding the cancellation of this union's registration." Discussion on the resolution was taken in committee. It was suggested that the conference recommend that the above union, on reregistration, take the title of the Otago Waterside Workers' Union, in order that the workers at all the smaller ports in the Otago district be formed into one body. This proposal caused considerable discussion, and Mr. Hubbard said ne believed the Oamaru workers would be quite agreeable to come in. The suggestion was put in due form, and was unanimously adopted. "After discussion in committee, th« conference endorsed the action of tho Gisborne men in refusing to work at, a. reduced rate, and, if necessary, support the Gisborne Union financially. SOCIALISM. Socialism was dealt with by the conference, when an offer was made by tho Socialist party to give 40 inches of spaco in their New Zealand paper, Tho Commonweal, to waterside workers' affairs. Mr. J. Jackson (Greymouth) said ho would ask members to so consider th* position that they need not offend tho susceptibilities of workers who had no sympathy with the Socialist party. AIL realised the good that Socialism aimed at doing for tho workers, but the conference must also consider whether it would not be advisable for the waterside workers to have an organ of their own, and not one connected with, any distinct party or faction. Mr. Canham (Auckland) advocated tho Auckland Worker, which was run in tho interests of workers, and in which tho workers held shares. Tho chairman asked : Is it a fact that this paper is run in the interests of Prohibition? Mr. Canham : Certainly not. The columns, he said, were open for th© expression of any shade of opinion except those of employers and of capitalists. The paper had been open to brewers, and it was thought that" there was no) reason' why tho other side should not have- a show. A voice : Let 'cm all have a show. Mr. M'Laren (Wellington) said tho Australian Waterside Worker wished to have notes of New Zealand Union matters, v Mr. Voyco (Lyttelton) : I am, not altogether in favour of tho federation having space in the Commonweal or subscribing to it. He suggested that that support should be> given to the Australian Waterside Worker. Mr. Jones (Wellington), although not a Socialist, had watched the Socialist movement, and for the past three years he had advocated some paper in which, unionists could place their views. He held that the daily press, especially in Wellington, either cut down or altered reports on union matters sent in to them, so that it was difficult to understand the information so treated when it appeared in print. He hoped thG offei of tho Socialist party would be accepted. Mr. Kelly (Wellington) said three years ago a paper was started, called The Commonweal. It was started on an empty treasury, and io was now financial. Subscribing to the Socialist paper would mean 3s 9d a week to each union. They would never get fair play Iron* the capitalistic papers of New Zealand, and, like men, they should build up a paper of their own, particularly as thera was no other labour paper in this city. A weekly labour letter was sent to a paper m Wellington ; but it was torn to pieces. If the workers supported a weekly paper, the day would not be far distant when they would be able to- run a daily labour paper. It was a good investment for 3s 9d a week. Mr. Farland thought the suggestion would be of real advantage to the labour interests. Mr. M'Laren considered The Commonweal a good labour paper, but if they could run a paper of their own, and if they could support the Australian Waterside Worker, then so much the better. Ho suggested giving the Socialist paper six months trial- Personally, he was a Socialist, and could not see how the wade unionists could move on other lines than those of Socialism. Mr. Gibbs (Auckland) wanted to know why Wellington workers themselves could not take up the matter. The expenses of delegates coming from Auckland were about £40, and if it was to bo 3s 9d this time and 3s 9d another! time it would mount up. Mr. Voyce (Lyttelton) would support the Auckland Worker in preference to the Socialist organ. Mr. M'Carthy (Napier) said so far as Napier was concerned the workers got very satisfactory treatment at the hands of the local papers. Anyone who knew anything about union reports would know that they sometimes needed curtailment and condensation. Again, the greatest care had to bo exercised by editors m avoiding libel. It was a good thing for the unionists that they were able to read capitalistic views, for tho unionists could work on them. Ho opposed the motion. After further discussion it was resolved not to accept tha offer of tha Socialist paper.

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