LABOUR CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1944, Page 3

LABOUR CONFERENCE

ADDRESS BY MR ROBERTS WELLINGTON, November 6. i Labour’s responsibility in helping to solve post-war problems, and to build for lasting peace, prosperity and international goodwill, was emphasised by the president of the New Zealand Labour Party, Mr James Roberts, in his address to the annual conference of the party to-day Labour must mobilise its intelligence and ability in planning for the rehabilitation of men and women in the services, and for the economic transition of our civilian population from war-time production and distribution to normal peace-time conditions of life, said Mr Roberts. The conference, which was postponed from lasiEaster because of the travel restrictions, is attended by more than 400 delegates. . . Mr Roberts, alter emphasising that among the primary aims of the Labour movement were economic freedom of the individual and international peace, said New Zealand could be proud of its war effort. In spite oi five years of the greatest war in human history, in spite of the withdrawal of the youngest and most .virile of New Zealand’s men and women from normal production to war services, in spite of the large number of workers engaged in war production and distribution, our Labour Government by skilful and courageous management, had been able to maintain, living standards, and. to enact legislation helpful to the economy and people of New Zealand during the difficult war period and to overcoming post-war problems in the days to come. The Labour movement of New Zealand, and the Labour movement of the world coulct and would make a valuable contribution, to post-war problems. Indeed, it must do so for its own protection, to maintain living standards, to rebuild a new world from the social and economic viewpoint, and for international peace and goodwill amongst the people of the world. The Labour movement of this country would contribute its quota, to the adjustment of after-war problems m the same manner as it had done in fighting with the Allies against dictatorship and tyranny, and for human justice and liberty. Mr Roberts gave an explanation of the proceedings of the conference, and dealt also with the necessity for organisation and education in matters affecting the work of the Labour movement. There was, he said much misconception of what Labour stood for, and this was fostered by all agents and agencies of National Party propaganda. The Labour movement of the world, he said, had a great responsibility at the present time, for although they had been promised a new social order, it would nol be established without the co-operation and drive of organised Labour everywhere. There was no reason why the workers of all countries, who had worked long hours in the fields, workshops and factories to provide the munitions of war —why workers who had borne the brunt of the battle on land, in the air, and on and under the sea —should not be given social security and economic justice when victory was won by the Allies. Labour had a duty to these men and women, and he believed that by national and international organisation the Labour movement oi.' the world could play a great part in the transition of the people from war conditions to normal life, and in ensuring for them political and economic freedom, human hrotherhobd, and international peace.