FEDERAL LABOR CONFERENCE.

Northern Advocate, 12 January 1912, Page 5

FEDERAL LABOR CONFERENCE.

ABOLITION OF UPPER HOUSES.

INTERSTATE MAIL FLEET.

(Received Jan. 12, 8.39 am.)

HOBART, Jan. 11,

The Labor Conference finally, without adopting a direct motion, carried an expression of opinion that State Upper Houses should be abolished. The constitutionality of the proposal was generally questioned. Mr Fisher and Mr Watson contended that the State electors should seek to carry out the proposal themselves, but if the fight were: unavailing then, it might be desirable to seek Federal assistance. A motion to make the federalisation of railways a plank in Labor's fighting platform was defeated. Motions were adopted that all seagoing vessels should carry wireless apparatus; that in the event of the necessary power being obtained a referendum should be taken on the question of the Commonwealth owning and controlling a mail fleet of interstate steamers. A motion to extend compulsory military training from the age of seventeen to twenty-five was lost. The Conference affirmed the principle of international arbitration and universal decrease of armaments. A motion that, in the event of constitutional power being gained, a national sugar refinery should be established, was carried. It was also agreed that publiclyowned ironworks were an urgent necessity. It was decided to send a letter of fraternal greetings to the Social Democratic party of Germany, wishing them success at the elections. A motion by Mr Fisher and Mr McGowen that negotiations for closer industrial and commercial relations with IsTe-w Zealand: should, be opened immediately, was carried. Mr Fisher declared it to be well known that trouble in the Pacific would have to be met by all Australia. They should sound New Zealand's opinion. Mr McGowen said it was evident that federation by the inclusion of New Zealand was necessary for the welfare of the States. A motion that State members should be eligible to contest Federal seats without resigning was carried.