THE LABOUR PARTY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 74, 27 March 1912, Page 8

THE LABOUR PARTY.

MEETING AT KILBIRNIE* A meeting ot pereons interested in the formation of a. branch, of the New Zealand Labour Party was held last night in O'Donnell's Hall, Kilbirnie. Mr. J. 0. Smith, secretary of the main branch, was appointed chairman. Sir. D. M'Laren, organiser for the. National Council of the party, delivered an address, setting forth the facts of the party's growth eince its inception, in July, 1910, and explaining the constitution and rules of the party. He emphasised the matter that Labour's voting strength had ' increased very largely since the organisation was firtt formed, and a large number of new branches had been formed throughout the country. The party favoured the lines of constitutional policy being taken by i Labour, and did not support the general strike methods of syndicalism. In face of the great industrial unrest which now existed there was urgent need, in the interests of the Dominion, that a strong Labonr Party should be esfab- | lished in Parliament," because the other political parties *ailed entirely to understand the Labour movement and the trend of industrial organisation. The method of opportunism and mere palliation for vote-catching purposes had so unchained the other parties that their programmes and practices were contra-, dictory in principle all the time. In 1889 there were only twelve workers' unions existent; now there were 325, with a total membership of over 60,000. In addition, the internal development had already consolidated over 200 unions into national trades federations^ If every union were to act politically in keeping a civic and Parliamentary roll of its members, and continually organising the • Labour vote, a strong Labour Party would result therefrom. Mere trades union action ,did not deal with rents, prices, and monopolies, and the unions were not serving their members' real interests until they enter the political field. "I look for some changes in politics in the near future." said Mr. M'Laren, "and if Labour keeps the line of strict independence it will win out strong. Personal ambition is rotting the other parties, and our Labour Party must follow the course of adherence to principle, and in this way it will win the full confidence of the people." At the close of the address it was resolved :—: — "That this meeting form itself into a branch of the New Zealand Labour Party for Kilbirnie." Mr. Myer wa6 elected president, and Mr. Reid secretary pro tern. Enrolment of members resulted in nearly all present joining, and arrangements were made to hold another meeting on Monday next in the *>ame hall. Thauks v, eve accorded to Mr. M'Laren and to llie ehaknmt (Mi 1 . Sffiithl* ~~~-