LABOUR PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 81, 6 April 1933, Page 13

LABOUR PARTY

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

REMITS FOR AUCKLAND

MANY SUBJECTS

Fifty-five remits have been forwarded to the headquarters of the Kew Zealand Labour Party for discussion at the seventeenth annual conference of < the party,, commencing in \tho Auckland ■ /Trades Hall on "Monday, April 17, and continuing for the remainder <of the week. As the president, Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P. for Manukau, is.in England, it ■will bo necessary for tho con- ■ ' forenco to appoint another chairman. ' It is expected that tho southern representation will not be as largo as at.conferences held in Wellington, but additional Auckland delegates will probably rnako up the number of those usually present. , ':■ Pour nominations have been received for tho position of president, and eleven for vice-president. Many of the remits deal with alterations and additions to the party's platform. An Avondale remit proposes-rhat an additional function of a State bank should be to bring about a progressive ' reduction, in interest, and another from ' tho same branch.urges the extension of the State Advances Office to provide, inter alia, for the establishment of secondary industries natural to, and in the interests of, the Dominion as a ■whole. ~ ■ . EDUCATION SYSTEM. * ■ . On. the subject of education the Hutt Valley delegates will move that the platform provide for tho establishment of free kindergartens for children from . .. the.age of three until tho time of entry' into primary schools, attendance to be voluntary, An Avondalo remit pro- ■ poses that provision, be mado for the occupational training of tho youth of both' sexes in prfmary and secondary production,'.and * that they.be kept at school under reasonable discipline until they have been found suitable employment; ■ ■:' \ ■.'■■■ The v institution of a flve:day working week consisting of not more than, forty .hours is urged in a Wellington Trades and Labour Council remit. ELECTION PROGRAMME. A number'of remits deal with tho , party's election programme, one to be moved by the Ohakune branch suggest- • ing the appointment of a committee to bring down proposals to be known as "Labour's Three-Year Plan," 'which shall specify the Socialistic legislation •which can be carried out during the life of Parliament by a Labour Government, the plan to make provision for] the following measures:— (1) Utilisation of the internal credit of the Dominion to provide money for the carrying on of all social services, State Departments,, and primary and secondary industries'; > (2) ■■ that ■Government control of privately-owned, industries bo measured by the amount of Government subsidy or assistance provided; (3) tho completion1 of all unfiii} ished public works; (4) relief works to be abolished, and sustenance paymade to the unemployed in accordance with the 1930 Unemployment Act; (5) tho five-day week and the . seven-hour day to be put into operation in all State Departments and public works; (6) old age pensions to be increased to 22s 6d per week; (7) family allowances to bo increased to 5s per week for each child in excess of two where the family income does not ex- ■ coed £250 per annum; : (8) the Parlia- . msntary control of public services to be restored by the immediate abolition of tho Eailways, Unemployment, and ■ Broadcasting-Boards; lithe positions of other boards to be investigated with a view to their ultimate abolition; (9) - the .fixation, of prices to be instituted and rigidly enforced; (10) a steeply graduated tax to bo placed on all incomes of £500 per annum and over; (11) full civil rights to .bo accorded to all public servants, with1 the immediate restoration ; of the , Civil Service cuts to those' in receipt of less than £,500 per annum; (13) tho Labour Government shall immediately appeals to the electors if they are prevented from putting into operation any part of the plan." - ■ ■ ; -• . UNEMPLOYMENT. . ; In regard to unemployment the Wellington Trades'and'Labour Council will move:— -.■•-■' "That in view of tho present 'acute financial and industrial depression, the first order of business, after the annual reports aro dealt with, should bo consideration of tho question of the reorganising of .the financial: and industrial system, aiid that a committee be set up to bring down proposals regarding: (1) Unemployment and immediatb adequate provision for same; (2) reorganisation and control of financial,"- banking,' and credit system, including currency; (3) ) reorganisation of industry in association with a scheme for planned production." The Auckland women's Branch will move that the' Unemployment Act be amended to provide that all women who pay the unemployment tax shall have the same rights: and privileges to which men are entitled. A Eaetihi.remit suggests the amend- - ment of the Family Allowance Act to provide that relief workers, irrespective pf the number of their children, shall be entitled to assistance.. . Among the other remits to bo discussed are the following: "That no member of the party shall accept appointment to the Legislative Council except .with the approval of the party." "That conference appoint a committee to bring down a.report upon tho advisability of promoting legisation to restrict tlio profits of industry." "That this conference is of opinion that it is in the interets of the party that suitable women- candidates should <lio selected .to contest electorates, in both Islands, at next Parliamentary 'election." . "That in the opinion of this conference, the wa>d system of representation ahould be used in all municipal or other,local governing body elections." ; The Devonport branch will move J-hat the name of the party bb tho New Zealand Socialist Party. ,