NO RADICAL CHANGES

Evening Star, Issue 19222, 13 April 1926, Page 5

NO RADICAL CHANGES

LABOR CONFERENCE HR SULLIVAN’S IMPRESSIONS The outstanding characteristics of the Annual Conference-of the New Zealand Labor thirty, just coneluded at Wanganui, were first Ibc preseneo of a line lot of vigorous, able, young men, and, .second, a somewhat; conservative disposition lo resist proposals for a change in the platform of the party. l\Jr D. G. Sullivan, M. 8., who returned to Cluustcilurch from 'Wanganui on Saturday last, ilius summarised his impression to a. 1 i.yiteilon Times ’ reporter of the Labor (. ouierciice at which he was a delegatee

Mr Sullivan said that (lie New Zealand Labor Party was now so firmly ostablislied as an organisation that in this respect it con Li probably challenge comparison with any Labor I’ai ly anywhere. It bad a well-equipped national olilee, stalled by a capable secretary (.Mr 'Waller Nash) and necessary assistants, and iis work ol maintaining and extending ibe organisation and collecting and disi nbnl mg inform;) lion is conducted in a v, ay tltai fil l little to lie desired. Tim puny Ims b(),UUO members aliiliaicd to ii i hrough its brandies ami through ilm i rade unions. Must of the organisations had their representatives at the conference. Observing the conference, one got a feeling of confidence regaulmg the future of Hie political Labor movement. It was now a real national n-uveaionl:, a real organisation tn which die ebb and How of political fort ii lie, or changes in its own personnel, wen; but incidents, important or ollmrwi'c. There were many young men at the conference intensely earnest and enthmdastie,, actuated by high social ideal--, to whom tlio Labor movement and jbe realisation of its ideals is the dominating motive in ilioir lives. Jint, despite the presence of so many young men, said Air Sullivan, the conference, while willingly agreeing to changes in its const if ution necessitated by dovclojma ui or proved advisable by expenvneo, manifested in regard to the pin: form a stand-pat altitude, resisting without great discussion proposals for change, whether such proposals eamo from (lie right or the left wings of the movement. The “left wing ” to which be referred was principally from the Alliance of Labor unions. In the discussions on these proposals 1 here was plenty of earnestness, lint very little heat. The party’s land policy v, as referred lo a special committee io consider and report to next conic,■(■nee. (lie coi-ierence refused to ho stampeded by the hostile criticism of ilie now.-papers and its: Reform opponent-, iail all serious and sincere (latKi-rn ibat. lied developed siuec the pieci-at. land policy imd been incorporated in the platform would receive proper and wise con;.,idem l ion, and suelp changes made as would stand the careful scrutiny of next conference as being in accordance with Labor piiiiciplc and the interests of the people of the, country. Any proposals hared on mere political expediency would receive short shrift from conference.

Mr Sullivan said that lie was personally of opinion Unit llio pnragi:.p!i in the present land policy f> ' rciingj; that land, when sold, should he sold to the State would he eliminated.