SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15662, 16 July 1914, Page 8

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. Tni; first annual conference of the Social Democrat Party was opened yesterday. Delegates representing 75 affiliated organisations -were in attendance. Mr. H. Hunter, Christehurch East, occupied the chair.

'Iho annual report was unanimously adapted. The- report stated that contributions had been received from a membership of 7000, and this had increased since the report Lad been drafted. The balance-sheet, which disclosed satisfactory financial conditions, was adopted unanimously. The conference decided to present to Parliament a petition urging the release of the imprisoned strikers, and to ask the Social Democratic members to endeavour to get a decision of the House on the question. ' The. election of officers resulted as follows .-—President, Mr. H. Hunter, Christchurch Eaut; vice-president, Mr. P. Cooke, Christcliurcb. Tailoring Trade Union'; national organiser, Mr. H.Scott Bennett, Auckland branch. ,Mr. P. Fraser was elected unopposed ' as national secretary and : treasurer. At-to-day's sitting the Finance Committee submitted a report on the rev arrangement of tho party's financial relations, and it was resolved to reduce the "'capitation fee 'of affiliated unions to one .shilling per annum, .and also.to make a special appeal; for .donations to iheparty'a. Mganising funds, ... . .-"•*. .;■.:., ; -■;