Labour Conference

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 8

Labour Conference

VARIED AGENDA FOR EASTER A long agenda paper, embracing remits concerning such diverse subjects as universal military service, a move to have a New Zealander appointed Qovemor-General when Viscount Galway leaves the Dominion, the restriction of company profits, and State lotteries will be considered by delegates to the 23rd annual conference will begin on April 10. It is reported that among the matters which the conference will consider are recommendations to the Government for the imposition of stricter health regulations in hotels, restaurants and milk bars; an inquiry into the administration of the Public Service, toward the removal of officials who unsympathetically administer the Government’s policy, and their replacement with persons a™® and willing to do so.

Under the heading of education, a report i s sought upon the vocational training of all children over the age of 12 years; the raising of the school leaving age; Plunkt work and kindergartens to be State institutions; the abolition of education boards and Bible-in-schools teaching; the founding of working-class scholarships in political economy; the teaching of Socialist philosophy in schools.

The subject of defence will occupy much time. It is proposed to consider and report upon several phases of defence, such as co-operation with the industrial labour movement -toward building up a democratic defence force; education of officers and men m the principles of democracy and Socialism; investigation of the New Zealand Defence League’s activities; the need for more active co-operation with democratic countries; opposition to. the British Government’s pro-Fascist policy. Finance has many sub-headings. Remits include proposals for abolition of freehold tenure; collective farms on Crown lands; the appointment of a Parliamentary committee to investigate the position of farmers who did not obtain relief under the Mortgagors and Lessess Rehabilitation Act. The conference will be asked to recommend the establishment of a debt-extinction fund; a limit on personal incomes; the raising of no internal or external loans; the principle of debt-free money; an amendment to the Money Lenders Act, to restrict interest rates. The proposal relating to companies, urges the restriction of profits to 6 per cent., and the placing of all profits from 6 to 9 per cent, into o reserve fundto stabilize industry, and profits above 9 per cent, to be distributed among the workers. General items propose the discontinuance of the present practice of recommending persons for titles; the sterilization of the unfit; and amendment of the law to prohibit the publication of untrue statements likely to have a harmful effect upon the Dominion.