LABOR DREAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10514, 23 July 1910, Page 2

LABOR DREAMS.

FEDERATION FOR POLITICAL ENDS. ■ (Per Press Association.) " Wellington, July 22. The Gisborne delegate (Mr Long) moved: "That the Government be urged to suppress the exploitation of 'the masses .by establishing State industries connected with the main, necessities of life."

The motion was carried after the mover had agreed to make the following addition, suggested by the Canterbury delegates, "That the Government be asked to establish genuine reproductive model farms, also an up-to-date cooperative factory or works in each important industry, such as may be required for the purpose of checking excessive importations, increasing employment and the absorption of surplus labor and the industries that have become monopolies, and those that are being lost to the State through excessive importation to receive first attention." Mr D. G. Sullivan (Canterbury) moved: "That as the lands for settlement system is creating a reactionary force in -politics in connectioa with the demand by the Crown tenants for the freehold, this conference expresses an opinion that it is in the best interests of the workers that the system be abolished, and that the land be farmed directly by the State, the produce fo be retailed in town and country depots at a price that will cover the cost of production and capital charges. The mover said that the opposition offered by his Council to the lands for settlement system was based upon the fact that they in New Zealand had "been using the State credit to place speculators rather than cultivators upon the land. Given provision for the retention of the laud by the Government for the nationalisation of the food supply, and the reversion to a state of socially created land values, both of the principles now embodied in the adopted platform of the Canterbury Council would be satisfied.

The motion was seconded by Mr E. J. Howard (Canterbury), and carried. Mr T. O'Bryan (Southland) moved: "That the Government be urged to establish State sawmills, timber and firewood yards in suitable localities so as to cheapen building material and cause more work in the Dominion." The mover said that the operations of timber rings and sawmillers' associations had caused the price of timber to increase 100 per cent, in 10 years. Wages had not increased a tenth of that amount. The motion was carried.

Mr Savage tabled the recommendations of the Commitce set up to consider the question of providing additional facilities for workers to secure a thoroughly, economic education. The Committee strongly affirmed the principle of education by means of lectures, etc., and urged that all trades unions should assist in furthering the object. Mr O'Bryan moved: "That this Conference strongly urges upon the Government to maintain the co-operative system in their public works policy." Mr Sullivan moved as an amendment to provide that public works be carried out by day labor instead of on the cooperative system. The question was under discussion when the conference adjourned until to-morrow.

The machinery necessary to put into working operation the objective and platform of the New Zealand Labor party which' is being launched by the annual Dominion Conference of the Trades and Labor Councils, was finally specified to-day, and in the opinion of the delegates there is little now in the way to prevent the movement from assuming a practical form. The Platform Committee brought down further recommendations, ou which a lively discussion took place in regard to the following recommendations: "That in the event of any sitting member of Parliament joining any branch of the New Zealand Labor party in his electorate prior to the next general election, and signing allegiance to the objective of the platform and pledging himself in writing to carry out the principles embodied in the platform and on all questions affecting the platform, to vote as a majority of the Parliamentary partymay decide at a duly constituted party caucus meeting, he should be the duly selected and endorsed candidate of the Labor party, and it shall not be compulsory for him to go to the preliminary ballot. Mr J. Savage (Auckland): Are sitting members going to remain sitting members for ever? Mr E. J. Howard (Canterbury): Yes. Voices: No; only till next election. ' Mr J. Walsh (Auckland) said that the party's objects would not be adequately served in this matter. It had been said, for instance, that Mr Glover, member for Aucklaud Central, would be willing to sign our pledge, but would Mr Glover be any good to them as a Labor member. The Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C. (Otago) said that it was merely a question of meeting the present political situation. Mr E. J. Carey 'expressed the belief that there were four or five sitting members of the House of Representatives who would sign the pledge probably within a week or two. This could form the nucleus of the. party within the House. ■ Mr Savage: We have some in the House who, for the sake of securing £3OO a year for another three years would sign anything. He moved as an amendment, "That the clause exempting sitting members from going to, a preliminary selection ballot be eliminated." Mr Paul: It seems to me that jfchese cheap sneers about politicians areftjuite out of place. Politicians are not angels. : Mr E. J. Howard (Canterbury]l said ' the object of the motion, was to hold out a bait to sitting members, and lie opposed it. The amendment was lost by 13 to 4. A further amendment was moved byMr Breen to add to the motion: "This clause shall only apply to members of Parliament contesting their first elec-. tion under this constitution." , The amendment was agreed to. and the motion as amended was earned.