LABOR PARTY CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 17086, 3 July 1919, Page 6

LABOR PARTY CONFERENCE

A RECORD YEAR. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. [From Our Special Cosbespondent.} WELLINGTON, July 3. The annual conference of the New Zealand Labor party, which opened this morning, is the most representative yet held. The Hon. J. T. Paul, presidont, was in the chair. Tho executive's report expressed deop regret at the death of the late Mr A. H. Hindmarsh, M.P., and appreciation of his service to the Labor movement. The report records a record year of progress in all sphores of activity. The membership had reached the- highest point in our political history, and now numbers over 21,500 financial members. The national campaign undertaken by members of the Parliamentary Labor party and other enthusiastic helpers had been successful, and the record attendances at meetings showed that public sentiment runs strongly with the party. The by-elections were an eloquent tribute to Labor. Both in Wellington Central (Mr P. Fraßor) and Wellington South (Mr R. Scrapie) the Labor candidates gained absolute majorities oyer all their opponents*—meritorious victories iu every sense. TJne poll registered at Palmerston North was also satisfactory, and had it not been for the indecent haste with which the Government forced on the election tho Labor party would also have won this seat. It was unfortunate that the influenza epidemic had materially interfered with the Parliamentary Labor party's work during the session. In common' with a large proportion of the population, several members of the party were laid aside, and their enforced absence militated against tho party's ©Korta. A petitions campaign, inaugurated for the purpose of giving the electors an effective democratic voice on the liquor question, had also been successful, despite tho unsettling effects of the epidemic. The" issues, as stated in the Labor party's petition, were atich as to give the electors a full and unfettered voice, and wo are bound to say that tho Government did tho electors a reai disservice in not adopting the issues placed in the Labor' party's petition." Ihe most recent activity on Labor's behalf was in connection with, tho municipal campaign. Gratification is recorded at the unprecedented measure of success attained. In Auckland and Wellington for the fir«t time "Labor has a measure of direct representation on the City Council and other public bodies. Party selections were now being made for the General Election. There was every reason for viewing the future with confidence —every indication that the great mass of the people were at last alive to the immediate necessity of a change of Government, and showing at the same time a d-ecidod preference for Labor. Literature aales find other activities had been put on a satisfactory basis. The report concludes with a vote of thanks to all helpers, and to prophesy that the hour | for Lalx>r has arrived.