FEDERATION OF LABOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4475, 16 February 1917, Page 2

FEDERATION OF LABOR.

DECISIONS OF THE DECEMBER CONFERENCE. A circular has been issued to the various labor bodies by Mr J. Clover (secretary for the Executive of the New Zealand Labor Party.) It contains the following clauses : “f am instructed to write you calling your attention to tile decision of the Dominion Labor Conference held to discuss the matter of securing the repeal of the Conscription Act. “Conference was of the opinion that the Act- is unconstitutional, and agreed that legal opinion should be sought on the question. This is being done, and, in the event of its being favorable, that a case should be taken to the Supreme Court. “Conference recommends that steps he taken to get the signatures of electors in each constituency to a petition calling upon the member to meet his constituents and explain why he delegated his duties to the Executive, and -why he voted himself an extra year of office and the £3OO that goes with it- in defiance of the Triennial Act and of the electors who elected him on the understanding that the term of office was three years. Also, conference recommends to all Labor and kindred bodies that a national campaign be organised. to secure the repeal of the Military Service Act. The following resolutions were carried at the Dominion Labor Conference. held on December 20 and 21: — 1. “That conference urge that Parliament be immediately convened for the purpose of repealing eonscription.”

2. “That, failing Parliament’s compliance with the wishes, of the people in this respect, the Military Service Act be at once submitted to a vote of the electors, with unrestricted right of free speech while the matter is before the people.” “That the Government he requested to release the Labor men now in gaol, and to cease further prosecutions. . . , . , “That, failing their release, comercnee urge that the Labor men .now in gaol be treated as political prisoners, and not as criminals.” 4. “That conference recommends to all trades unions, political labor bodies. and kindred organisations., that. a national campaign _be organised to secure the repeal of the Military Service Act-, and. further, that all political branches and other bodies representatives of their respective districts to explain to the electors why they have delegated their functions to Cabinet or to qn Army Council, and why they yoted themselvs an extension of political life.”