BULLER L.R.C.

Grey River Argus, 28 July 1925, Page 5

BULLER L.R.C.

ON THE MOVE TOWARDS UNIT?

On Saturday July 25, the Buller Labour Representation Committee held their monthly meeting in the Labour Partv rooms. Westport, when membe (from the different brandies discussed the various questions put forward. Mr IT. Parfitt presided, and after the min utes of the previous meeting were confirmed a letter from the Secretary o? the Labour Tarty at Waiuta was read, signifying the intention of that brane’’ to affiliate, also aaW'g for information

in regard to the manner of proceeding towards this intention.

The Secretary’s letter to the AVi uta branch in regard to affiliation, te? etc., was approved.

A motion was passed subsequently, which will effect the purpose of keeping in touch with the various branches throughout the electorate. Thereby a keener and more active interest may be taken in the work to be accomplished by Labour Party advocates. The Secretary cf the Westport Plnnkot Rest Room Committee wrote soliciting assistance of. a financial nature for the erection of a building . provide a rest room to temporalil.v <. m-veniem-e mothers. Seeing that the

Committee were unable to reviuer asistanee required, it was drilled to .ask the delegates present to favourably s-ib mit this matter to the members of th-ir respective unions.

A suggestion put forward relative to organising a conference of the dinerently situated Labour Party branches of the electorate, to be held in some central locality, was deferred in the mer'.itiqie. It was decided, however to discuss this question, with gopd-wiil in the immediate future, when it is hoped it will receive the practical op preeiation of those whose interests wi'l be served. After other matters of a minor importance had been subjected to the consideration of the meeting, the chairman declared the business cc.icluded. The underlying motive for establishing Labour Representation Committee-' in the various electorates is to endca”our, by’ organisation to secure the election of members of the New Zealand Labour Party’ to Parliament and to local govenning bodies; also to organ ise propaganda work in the various electoral areas.

The number of working-class electors who do not exercise the privilege granted by- franchise is comparatively a meagre quantity and the power they exert in influencing others is apparently as delicate as it deserves. Un the other hand, there are many individuals who financially support orguaisations which advocate closer industrial unity, and during the same period uphold a political party opposed to this purpose, voting for the representatives and would-be representatives of such party. This fact is remarkable, but nevertheless this inconsistent attitude in members cf the working-ida - has to be reckoned with, and to som? extent is holding back the desire of the industrial unionists.

It is not to be forgotten that two, at least, of the Dominions largest industrial organisations are desirous for closer unity. It would Lc v.cH, also, if some of our leading I.abouiites would grasp the fact that the only vital obstacles which prevents this desire being accomplished in i.ur present Parliament. If this proves anything,- it demonstrates clearly that reasons for blocking the ihelinarmns of the industrialist could be given successful issue by those he pit opuses to ignore, and conversely can be t’--ed to his interest when the personnel of that institution is sympathetica... inclined. There is absolutely >.- purpose to be served by prating the power of the working class. The fact remains that it is only rs p< verful collectively as it is willing to be and exp.criefieb teaches that it would much sooner vote for redurs than take drastic actions. It is there fore evident that for the present at lensf one logical way <f furthering the interests of industrial organisation is to remove the most prominent obstacles which retards its progress The L.R.C.’s are established for the purpose of discussion ami instiU’Vion towards this object. Let us trust then that those who _ believe in mHis method of proceeding will emphasise this belief by taking a. more active share in the work of organisation. The next meeting takes r lace <m Aug gust 22.