LABOUR FEDERATION ITS AIMS AND OBJECTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 11, 13 July 1914, Page 4

LABOUR FEDERATION ITS AIMS AND OBJECTS

TO OVERTHROW CAPITAL". MORE TALK OF "SOLIDARITY," 1 The Unity Conference convened by the United Federation of Labour continued its sittings in the Masonic Hall, Boulcott-street, on Saturday, Mr. J. Rigg presiding. The following business was transacted : It was resolved to add a now clause to the constitution. OBJECTS. 1. To organist systematically and scientifically upon an industrial union basis, in order to assist the overthrow of the capitalist system, and thus bring about a co-operative commonwealth based upon industrial democracy. 2. To secure employment of our members in preference to non-unionists; to maintain a spirit of fraternal sympathy with the workers of this and other countries by assisting them when Necessary. 1 3. To use our united efforts to discourage the contract labour and bonus^ systems, and as soon as possible to abolish these, believing the said systems to bo detrimental to rthe best interests of organised labour. 4. To enable and provide for the Federation to own, publish, and control a newspaper or newspapers. 5. To ensure to metnbers( who are proved to have been unjustly treated the support of the Federation. 6. To link up with the industrial organisations of all other countries for the achievement of international solidarity, and also for more effective working class action in time of international conflict.' * A new clause was adopted :—"That it shall be the duty of secretaries of district councils to compile and forward a quarterly report to the national executive of the work done in the district." It was unanimously agreed to that in the event, of any official of the Urn"ted Federation of Labour being elected as M.P. his office shall be declared vacant. It was resolved ; "That this conference appoint a- temporary organiser for the purpose of visiting the various industrial centres to put in operation the machinery of the constitution, the salary to be £5 per week and travelling \expenses." THE TEMPERANCE ISSUE, The following motion, pursuant to notice, was considered :—"That this congress hereby proclaims the nationalisation of tho manufacture and importation and, sale of alcoholic beverages to be a plank in the Labour platform, and that Parliament be requested to grant the electors of the Dominion an^ opportunity of expressing themselves on this question of State control by the addition of it as another issue on the ballot paper." After discussion an amendment was carried referring the question to the Social Democratic Party Conference next week. It was decided that the Maoriland Worker be the official organ of the United Federation of Labour. IMPORTED LABOUR. It was resolved : "That the conference strongly condemns tho policy of imported cheap labour pursued by the present- Government, as, v notwithstanding the statement of the Prime Minister to the contrary, there' is plenty of farm labour at present available in the Dominion." i, A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. J. Rigg, as president, and the conference closed at 1.30 p.m. '