THE UNITED LABOR PARTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8180, 23 July 1912, Page 4

THE UNITED LABOR PARTY

Continuing the discussion of the constitution and platform of tho United i Labor Party, we have to-day a discussion of its provisional schedule. Act-1 ing under the plan of organisation which has been discussed in previous articles, tho effort is made to enumerate the particular unions and to indicate tho affiliated groups into which they would naturally fall in the establishment of the national groups of allied trades ! services, or occupations. The clause in the constitution is as follows: PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE. Tho following grouping, for purposes of affiliation, is xirovisionally suggested; but, as is above provided, the unions themselves will ' establish their own grouping, as the identity of industrial interest in the various in. dustries shall from time to time determine to be the most desirable: Affiliated Building Trades: Carpenters, masons, bricklayers, plasterers, painters, electricians, plumbers, furniture trade, building laborers, sawmill and lumber workers, brick and tile makers, quarry workers, and so forth. Affiliated Mining Workers: Coal-miners, gold-miners, sweltermen, and so forth. Affiliated Transportation Workers: Railway servants, waterside workers, seamen, tramway workers, carriers, cab and taxicab drivers, freight handlers, and so forth. • Affiliated Printing Trades: Typographical workers, compositors, stereotypers, lithographers, paper-rulers, engravers, press machinists, bindery workers, news- ; stall and delivery men, and so forth. .... Affiliated Agricultural and Pastoral Workers: ■ Shearers, shed-hands, pastoral and agricultural workers, tenant farmers, self-employed farmers, and so forth. Affiliated Boot, Textile, and Clothing Trade Workers: Bootmakers, saddlers, and tanners, clothing trade workers, fellmongers, tailors, milliners, and dressmakers, umbrella makers hat and cap makers, woollen workers, sail-makers, and so forth. Affiliated Wood - -and Metal Workers: Boilermakers, engineers, tin- ! smiths, sheet-metal workers, iron and brassraoulders, cycle and motor workers, brass finishers, blacksmiths, farriers, millwrights, coaohworkers,' wireworkers, and so forth. . Affiliated Commercial Workers: Shop and office assistants, ty- , pists civil servants, hairdressers, watchmakers and jewellers, and so forth. Affiliated Professional Workers: Teachers,. writers, artists, actors, civil engineers, architects, barristers, solicitors,'. ■ ministars, ' . physicians, surgeons, • trained nurses, and so forth. Affiliated Food Workers: Bakers, confectioners,_ fruiterers, cooks, waiters, domestic workers, retail butchers, grocery workers, brewery workers, sugar workers, dairymen, and so forth v Affiliated Women Workers: Housewives’ associations, or any bodies of women workers which may prefer an exclusively women’s organisation. Affiliated General Workers: Stationary, . motor-launch, and traction engine-drivers, general .laborers, and unrelated local unions. Affiliated Radical and Progressive Associations: Labor -Party branches. Socialist societies, Fabian.societies, land or social reform leagues, and so forth. Concerning this grouping of the useful people in all possible forms of industry and social service, tho effort has been fo find a space within the organisation, through tho occupation in which ono is employed, for every person who renders useful service of any sort. « • • • w If there aro those who are, rendering such service and who cannot find a place for themselves in this .schedule then provision has been made for them through the definite statement that this arrangement as hero suggested is presented provisionally. Tho unions themselves, or others in any way identified with tho United Labor . Party, will establish their yivn grouping as.the identity of industrial ’ interest shall from time to timo determine. • * * * ■* Complaint has, beep niado against this arrangement that there are in-

eluded those who do not belong to the working class, and this complain; is directed especially against those who aro hero mentioned as affiliated professional workers. Tho complaint is justified by those who make it on the ’ground that solicitors, ministers, and physicians should have no voice nor sharo in the control of trade controversies in which they are not themselves concerned.

It would seem that such a contention ought to have great force, but it is not equally true that boilermakers, engineers, and tinsmiths should have no voice in controlling industrial disputes involving bootmakers, saddlers, ant tanners. The United Labor Party is organised in such a way that no industrial dispute can be interfered with by its Dominion executive or hy any trades union or federation of unions not directly involved. And this applies to each industry not related to any other, as well as, to the professional workers.

Tho professional workers are Riven representation, and so are all of tlw industrial groups, only in such a way that the delegated bodies shall have authority to act only on those matters which collectively concern them all. It is admitted that ministers, solicitors, and others may quite proper take a share in political disputes provided they commit themselves to the positions maintained by a political organisation standing for the welfare of tho workers. This is exactly what is provided for in the constitution of the United Labor Party, only in this instance each man will he represented in the central body through tho organisation of tho industry in which he is employed. And this applies to professional workers as well as to all ti. rest.

Tho old Labor Party organisation admitted to its ranks professional ■ workers. but it did so with no reference whatever to thoir relations to each other. Tho United Labor Party treats all occupations alike, gives to the organisation of the occupation the mastery of its own affairs, gives to the central body only those matters which concern them all alike, and it adds to the efficiency of its organisation, and completes the circle of every necessary service by providing a place within its ranks for all those who live by virtue of tho services, rendered by them.

A gain, it' has been contended that ministers of religion should have no share in political matters, nor voice in economic controversies, but the trouble with such a position is that the minister of religion is not only a minister, he is also a citizen. To deny the citizenship of a man because of his occupation, even though that occupation be that of a priest, or a teacher, or a physician, or a solicitor, is directly antidemocratic. If such workers are to have a share in the activities of the workers they should bo given that share as citizens, and tho most effective method of. giving expression to one’s citizenship will be through the organisation of the occupations in which they render -service..

. It is unquestionably true' that the political institutions of the future wm tend yet more strongly than at present to emphasise the industrial groups and to secure for them representation in tho activities of the State. If this is to be done under tho Government the sooner these industrial groups are created, the forces which must entei into them related ‘to eacli other in effective organisation, the better for the peace and the prosperity of tho future. If this schedule is not proof, it is subject to amendment. The idea that lies back of it must be perfected, and tho organisation which is to be the master of the future to represent the interest and- fight the battles of the- workers must be organised with some such# grouping of the useful people as is her© offered. .

It is' inconceivable, if such organisations can be perfected, that those who become their representatives in the central body would bo any others than those who had demonstrated their capacity to render effective service within the ( great industrial groups to which they shall themselves belong, and which groups they would represent in. the central body. Industrial incompetents and political adventurers will be utterly without power in such an organisation.

If the workers are to organise in such a way as to deserve the confidence and win the support of the majority of the people they will not bo able to do so except hy some plan which gives the guarantee. of capacity and responsibility for the Stganisations to which the people are to be asked to extend their support. This tho Lab': Party has done. - Instead of this "grouping of industries being an indictment against it, ft is the strongest ground for asking for support for the United Labor Party.