THE UNITED LABOUR CONGRESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15823, 23 July 1913, Page 8

THE UNITED LABOUR CONGRESS.

OPINIONS OF DELEGATES.

APPLICATION OF THE CLOSURE. IFko« Our Oivn Correspondent.) WANGANUI, July 22. Mr Veitch, M.P., who returned home on a short business 'visit to Wanganui, ha» given some interesting particulars and. new sidelights concerning the rcccnt Unity Congress and the split which occurred between the two sections of the Labour party. The real trouble, said Mr Veitch, was that the extreme section represented by the Federation of Labour would not compromise at all, and, having the majority of the votes present, simply forced its proposals through. The closure was applied very freely, especially after some of the strongest men of the federation had spoken.

Asked what was his opinion of the constitution of the newly-formed body, the member for Wanganui replied that it was too cumbersome to be effective. It reaily boasted'of a salary list of about £20 weekly and travelling expenses, which would amount to another £10. The new constitution was such that there was not the slightest hope of it accomplishing any real benefit for tho workers. No candidate for political honours could justify the programme of the Social Democratic party upon the platform. It was quite possible, said Mr Veitch, t-lyit a public meeting would be held shortly, at which the whole position would be explained. Mr D. Conchie, another local delegate, averred that the congress was not representative of Labour in New Zealand. There were a large number of proxies, nearly all of whom lived in Wellington, and these were mainly packed into the meeting by the Federation of Labour, which picked men on whose votes it could rely. Then there were all sorts of bodies represented. Mr John Payne, M.P., came as a delegate from " League 45," whatever on earth that was. In fact, there were a great many there who represented nobody but themselves. There was no opportunity given for effective discussion during the conference. The closure was continually used to prevent the debates taking a turn that the organisers did not like. Mr-Conchie confessed that prior to the conference he lmd been under the impression that tho Federation of Labour was sometimes maligned by its opponents. The conference showed him, however, that there was no reason in tho federation. It would consider no compromise, and srood out all the time for the strike. Not only that, but it wanted strike powers vested in the executive without any reference to the unions by ballot. The consequence was that reasonable and moderate men simply could not consent to act with it.

Tho financial aspect was also referred to, and Mr.Conchie estimated that £3000 per annum would have to be fourid for organisers' salaries, etc., whilst the organisers and other officials were to get travelling expenses in addition. As to the old United Labour party, Mr Conchie said there would be a strong effort to continue it. and with a fair measure of sucrfess. He had not as vet officially reported to all of his unions, but after lie had done so a mass meeting would be called to discuss the position.