LABOR AND POLITICS.

NZ Truth, Issue 79, 22 December 1906, Page 5

LABOR AND POLITICS.

UNION MEANS STRENGTH. Proposals for a Federation of Labor. IO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Some little time back,' when Mr Ramsay McDonald, M.P., and Dr. Mac Donald, of Queensland, were touring this colony, I noticed that at one oi the latter's meetings there was a, cleavage between Dr. Mac Donald and tire Hon. Mr Rigg, M.L.C., of this colony, as to what tlie platform of Labor should be, and that a committee . was set up to consider the matter. I have not heard or seen anything as to the result of that committee's consideration. There being, however, so many Labor Leagues, Councils, Associations, &c, existing m this colony, all platforms hitherto set up have always failed, and will oontinue to do so until there" is only one Federation of Labor for the colony. To form such a Federation should be tine first consideration and to this end I would suggest the following plan . That all Labor Leagues, Associations, Councils, and Unions, &c, should amalgamate and form one great Labor Federation for the colony, and --that the funds of all those bodies (except Unions) should be consolidated and handed over to the Federation to start with. That the colony be divided int© four large districts, viz., Auckland, Wellington',, Canterbury and Otago, such districts to be controlled by a District Board, to be formed by the election of Labor Unions m those districts of one representative from each Union, MALE OR FEMALE, ohe head offices of such Districts foe- • ing m Auckland, Wellmgtoii, Ohristohuroh. and Dunedin. That m all places, or combined places, of 3,000 . inhabitants and over "Local Committees" be formed of, say, four or. five, members, to be elected, by the Unions m such • places. That the • principal or -head body— "The Federal Council"— consist of 12 or more members, three or four to be appointed' by each District Board, with head', office m Wellington, it being. the j . most central and the seat of Govern-; ment. The Federal . Council to meet yearly for the transaction of general' business, just before or during the sitting of Parliament, and only at other times as required on specially urgent business. That Trades and Labor Unions carry on as at present, but be under the protection and guidance of the Federal Council:, That instead of Unions wasting their money m law and otherwise, all trade or labor disputes be referred m the first place to the Local Committee for settlement and if it cannot settle the difference, to the. District Board ; and m case it faiis, to the Federal Council, who would take the, matter m hand, make due enquiry and confer with the other side—employers, public departments, companies, Government . etc., as the case may be. Failing: to arrange matters amicably, dispute then to he taken to the Arbitration ,Cot?.rt. To provide funds for the carrying out of this and other expenses, the Council to have power to

MAKE A' LEVY of a few pence per member per quar- > ser on each Union. A course such as' this would, it is thought, save hundreds of pounds yearly to the various 1 Unions. Such • a Federation should act independently of Conservatism, Liberalism or any other ism—strict--1"" m the interest of the Labor class. It should be conservative of Labor, but not unduly antagonistic to any class 1 ; Liberal m a Labor sense, conciliatory and not extravagant. Religious matters should be eschewed every one being allowed to hold his own opinion thereon. I agree with Dr. Mac Donald m the "profit saving system," as it would be an inducement for labor of all classes m towns, country, miners, sea-faring, or otherwise, to become membei» of the Federation. ,1 do not. however, agree with the Hon. Mr Rigg "That the worker's Teat object should be to get supreme control of the Legislature." That .would be A GREAT MISTAKE, as has already been shown by. the domineering style of the present Liberal party with its large majority. Labor would be better a,s a balancing power between the two present parties, than with too large a majority, otherwise it would be liable, like the Liberals, to run riot m its legislation. Unions should, as Dr. Mac Donald said, "keep away from the political machine," but should, for their own benefit, concentrate their forces at the proper time m favor of the Federation's candidates. At all elections for Members of Parliament the Unions and members of the Federation m each electoral district^ Should select v thfe -caM-^ didates to be put up, by ballot or otherwise, such selection to be confirmed or rejected by the District Board, and Federal Council. Municipal elections should be conducted on similar lines. Members should be selected either from members of the Federation or outside of it. The Council should have power to arrange for profit-shaiine: or co-operative works, stores, etc. There are other details which could afterwards be arranged if the forming of such a Federation is taken m hand. I merely throw this out as a suggestion. I have no feeiiniy. or interest m it m any way, but until something of the kind is done the Labor Party will not progress as it should do. If done at all it should be done quickly and be m wor kins order, before next session.— Yours, &c, ! ■ MENTOR. December, 1906.