LABOUR CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 25326, 7 November 1944, Page 7

LABOUR CONFERENCE

" MARCH TOWARDS SOCIALISM " POLITICAL SITUATION REVIEWED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 6. Approximately. 400 delegates,'.representing 54 Labour itoprcsentation Committees, liu unions, and '£ii branches, wore present lor the opening in Wellington io-Uay or the annual conference of".me New Zealand Labour Party. " Tire past year was election year, and despite the expensive campaign by tho National Parly/ aided by Mr o. A. Lee's attempt to spnt vote, we were again returned with a good working majority," stated the annual report, it was stressed however, that the result did not give cause for complacency. Thanks were conveyed to tho i'rime Minister, Mr l'Vuscr, lor his able leadership of the Government. Kefercnce was also made in the report to the leadership of the national president, Mr J. Roberts, to the need tor increased branch activity, to the Empire Labour Conference, and to the meetings of farmers' committees in Wellington. Referring to the political situation, the report stressed that-the existing position called for constant »igilance. , At the afternoon session the national secretary, Mr M. Moohan, submitted his report on the conference -of the Labour Parties of the British Commonwealth held jh London, at which he was the New Zealand delegate. Details of the declaration of.: principles issued at the conclusion of the ■conference were given by; Mr,Moohan. This stressed Labour's great opportunity to march in the forefront of the world movement towards Socialism. " The principal war-time financial controls should be maintained till more permanent and satisfactory arrangements can be made," it was stated. " The banks and other financial institutions •hould be made the servants of the community. The funds available for investment should be brought under national and international control .and direction, all; with a view to ensuring full employment and higher production and raising the standards 6f living everywhere. There should also be international arrangements for as much stability as possible in foreign exchange rates, subject to the need for full employment in the countries concerned. Tho war-time arrangements for bulk purchase through State agencies of foodstuffs and raw materials should continue. They improve the methods and reduce the cost of distribution in international trade. Every extension of Socialism makes it easier to plan employment as a whole." , 5.'0-morrow morning s session will be <ievoted mainly to the report of tho Parliamentary Committee presented bv the Prime Minister. Elections and remits will be the main business at the afternoon and evening sessions.