LABOUR CONFERENCE AT BELFAST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13812, 28 January 1907, Page 5

LABOUR CONFERENCE AT BELFAST.

" PETTICOAT INFLUENCE."

DEFEAT OF TUB SOCIALIST ' SECTION. Press Aljociation—By Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, January 26.

(Received Jan. it, at 4.28 p.m.)

The agenda paper tor the Labour Party's Conference at lieitast contained proposals making it impossible for tlio party's representatives in Parliament to move in mutters of importance without permission of the conference.

Mr Keir Hardiu protested that such an arrangement, would have a hampering elleet.

. -\lv Morley (Halifax) remarked that the question of employment ought to l)« i in ino forefront of tlie party's programme, but LMf Keir Haidio and otner leaders were, promoting tho women's suffrage movement instead, ihkl had fallen under petticoat influence.

Jt war, ultimately resolved by a large iiiiijorily that the party's representatives in the House, of Commons should dscide as to tho method of executing tlieir instructions.

Mr iSliiieklelon moved an amendment referring' back the committee's proposal in order that there should lie established tin election agent office- at a cost of £150 per annum. Tho amendment was carried by a majority of two to one.

Jlr Keir Harilio and others, mi technical grounds, opposed tho Paper-stainers' llnion'e proposal to make the .parly avowedly Socialist.

The proposal was negatived by votes representing 835,000 unionists to 98,000. Jlr. Tillett's motion, requiring every Labour member of the House of Commons and every candidate or delegate to be a trado unionist was rejected l —ss3,ooo to 381,000,—the conference considering the trade union test inopportune. Mr Quelcli, on behalf of' the London Trades Council, moved' that the ccmferaice adopt a programme based on the resolutions approved by the Trado Unions Congress. He alleged that his proposal was innocent of Socialism.

_ Mr Shackleton insisted that the resolutions would commit the party to Socialism. I'liey had better drop the question of programme until they obtained a majority in the House of Commons.

The motion was negatived by votes representing 1,021,000 unionists to 76,000. Mr Kcir Hardie said it would bo a serious tactical error to impose Socialism upon an unprepared people. ■ The conference endorsed the demand for old-ago pensions 'and an eight-hours' day.