NEW ZEALAND LABOUR PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19147, 15 April 1924, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND LABOUR PARTY

i! ■ visE-mSTEE CONFERENCE, OUTEBfE OF PROGRAMME. f PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ;i PLATFORM. A heavy -programme is to be considered at the conference of the New Zealand labour Party, to be held in Dunedin at Easter. Most of to© remits refer to matters in connection with the party’s platform: bat there are, in addition, a large niimber of general resolutions to be submitted. •. . , The principal remits are given below. & many cases there are several remits dealing with toe same question, and all bearing in much the same direction, so that it[ is not necessary to detail every remit given on the paper. PARTY’S LAND POLICY. The party’s land policy will be one of the principal subjects for discussion. There ate a number of remits bearing on this question. The present section 2, sub-section (1) of toe land policy reads: The conservation of toe National Endowment. The Otago Labour Representation Council will move—‘That a now sub-section (1) of section 2 be inserted to read: 'The nationalisation Of the land.’ M The present section 2, sub-section (3)

roads as follows;—(a) A State valuation of all privately -owned land, such valuation to remain on record as the measure of present landholder’s interest in land; (b) privately-owned laud shall not be sold or transferred except to the. State; (c) the owner shall have the right to surrender his Ikiid on the valuation set out in sub-section (a). Palmerston North branch A.S.R.S. will move—“ That paragraph (a), sub-section (Sjlof section 2, be amended by inserting after the words ‘such valuation’ the following words: to be based on the productive value of the land spread over a period of seven years.’ ” The present section 2, sub-section (4) reads:—(a) The immediate discontinuance of the present wasteful method of destroying valuable timber and placing settlers on unroaded land; (b) all virgin land to be prepared for occupation by the State before settlement; (c) toe-State to undertake all development work, arid, where advisable, land so developed shall, form the nucleus of State farms. Palmerston North branch A.S.R.S. will move—“ That sub-section (4) of section 2 be amended by deleting para- — graphs (a) and (b), and that a new paragraph (a) be substituted to read: ‘All virgin land to be prepared for occupation by the State before settlement, and all timber resources of commercial value to be utilised.’ ” TAXATION. Present section 5 reads:—lncreased taxa- ; tion on unearned increment and monopolies F increased taxation on unimproved land val,nee, , increased graduated income tax, wi&’ n; Obrahaaponding reduction of indirect taxation for the purpose of removing the present burdens on family incomes.—The Christchurch Printing Trades will move—

“That this conference affirms that the first ' duty of a Labour Government on taking office shall _ be to strike a capital levy to finance legislation providing for insurance against unemployment and sickness." There are also remits from the Napier and Koskill branches, bearing in the direction of including the capital levy in the platform, PENSIONS. Present section 6, sub-section (1), reads: — The extension of the pension to include all widows and incapacitated citizens, and on increased rate of payments. All State pensions to be universally obtainable as a right of citizenship, and to be based on payments guaranteeing the prevailing standard of living. The Dunedin women's branch will move—“ That sub-section (1) of section 6 be amended by adding the following words: —‘In order to prevent the '■ Widows’ Pension Act being used to break up homo life, the mother ■ shall receive a definite and sufficient allowance, irrespective of working ability, to enable her to remain- at borne and • look after her children. The widowed mother to receive a pension for each child under 16 years of age amounting to a sum similar to that which a foster mother would receive." A PUBLIC DEFENDER. Present section 6, sub-section (5), reads: “Free legal advice.”—The Hastings branch will move, the addition of the words, “And the appointment of a public defender.”— The Dunedin women’s branch will iMwe—“That all the words in sub-section (5) of section ft;;be strode out, and the following words 1 inserted in lieu thereof:—‘The anpomtmofft of a public defender and an official solicitor to provide accused needy persons with, free defence and with legal nd- • vice, and the employment of a public legal official, who shall protect the interests of the public from unjust charges of auctioneers, oomznisinoa agents, and money-lenders.’"— The RosKH branch- will move—“ That section 6 b© amended by the addition of a new sub-section to read:—‘The appointment of qualified psychologists and criminologists as judges and magistrates to deal with criminal oases: and not of persons who are merely authorities on capitalist law.’” The Wellington L.R.C. will move—“ That section 6 bo amended by the addition of a new clause to read as follows; —‘Children under five years of age to be carried free over the New Zealand'State railways; and children oyer five and under 16 years of age . to be carried at halt rates; and seats to be reserved for children within the free age limit wilKdiit first -having to pay halffar© as at present.” , Arbitration court. 1 The Timaru branch Canterbury Builders and General Labourers’ Union will move—- “ That section 7 be amended by the addition of two new sub-sections (7 and 8) to read:— ‘if!) The,. President of. the Arbitration Court to be elected by a plebiscite of the people.’ ‘(8) The workers' representative on the Arbitration Court to be elected by a plebiscite of the members of all industrial organisations working under the Arbitration Act.’ ” —The Thnaru branch will submit a remit on the lines of the first clause of the above.—The Woolston branch will more—“ That it is in the interests of the working-class movement that the Arbitration Court bo abolished and collective , bargaining be instituted, and that this decision be a plank in the platform of the New Zealand Labour Party.” DEFENCE QUESTION. Present section 8 reads:— “The repeal of the Military Service Act and the Defence Act. The repeal of all provisions in the War Regulations Act end its amendments that interfere with civil and industrial 1 liberties." Hikurangi branch will move—“ That soction 8 of the platform bo amended by the addition of the following words: ‘The creation of a citizen army on a purely voluntary basis, with democratic control.' ’’ Timaru L-R-C. will move- “That the whole of the present section 8 be deleted, and. the following new section substituted in lieu thereof: ‘A voluntary citizen army to bo armed and equipped by the State, and State assistance to be given to all rifle clubs.’ ” Timaru branch, Canterbury Builders and General Labourers’ Union will move—- . “That section 8 of the platform be amended by adding the following new sub-section: ‘A volunteer army to bo maintained by the State.’ ”, Timaru branch will move —“That the Labour Party adopt the volunteer system of defence, providing that no military action be taken outside New Zealand.” VOTING STRENGTH OF LABOUR. Westport branch will move—“ That, in order thqt the real voting strength of the Labour movement may be accurately recorded, it be a recommendation from conference to the incoming National Executive that- it take steps to ensure the nominations of Labour candidates in all the electorates at next General Election.’’ Palmevpltm North L.R.C. will' move—- “ That special committees appointed by the annual conference to deal with any specific plank of the party’s platform and constitution for. the purpose of-adopting a uniform viewpoint, who are unable to arrive at a decision, during the term of conference, and to report thereto, have power to act subject to the approval of the National Executive,' provided always that no material alteration is effected in the constitution.” 'MATERNITY HOMES. Dunedip women’s branch will move—'That Cne party advocate the extension of maternity homes in ah districts, with free advice to expectant mothers. ’ Gore branch will move—“ That the notice of Labour M.P.s be drawn to the question of maternity charges, and that they be requested to fignt for fares one way, dr a. free pass, for expectant mothers who are desirous of entering the nearest St. Helens Übspitai.” Dune Sin women's branch will move—■'*T,bat to© Sfrilk support* the .establishment

of baby clinics for free medical advice and dental attention for all infanta in all distriota,” FACTORIES ACT. Wellington Federated Furniture Trades Union/will move—" That the Factories Act bo amended. by the addition of section 49 °f the New South Wales Factories Act. delating to prohibition of overtime, which reads; ‘ln any factory where any person is employed, no person shall work, or shall employ or authorise or permit any person whatsoever to work on any day before 7.30 in the morning or after 6 o’clock in the evening, or on Saturday after 1 o’clock in the afternoon, or on Sunday at any time whatever(2) if any person offends against any provision of this section he shall, for each_ and ervory day in which he offends, be liable on conviction to a penalty of £lO for Eh® Erst offence and £25 for the second offence, employer or employee.' ” WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACT. Poverty Bay L.R.C. will move—" That the Compensation- Act be amended to

provide that, in the case of an employee deceased through accment having no relative to claim compensation due. the full amount payable shall be paid by the insurance company into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.” Otago Motor Vehicle and Horse Drivers’ Union will move—" That the New Zealand Labour Party further a Bill to amend the Workers' Compensation Act so as to provide all workers with full wages during the period of incapacitation from accident or sickness arising oiu of their employment.” Gore branch will move —"That conference

ask the Parliamentarv Labour Party to introduce an amendment to the Workers’ Com pensation Act, to bring under the opera••oHs ot the Act any workers who contract ptomaine poisoning while engaged as shearers or shed hands, provided such workers are bona fide members of the union covering the shearing industry.” (Note with remit: Shearing employees arc not covered at present tor this form of disease.) LABOUR NEWSPAPERS. New Zealand Federated Furniture Trades Association will move —‘That, in the opinion of this conference, the time has arrived when negotiations should oe instituted and combined action taken in order to establish Labour daily newspapers in New Zealand.” Putaruru branch will move—“ That every effort will be made to establish a dailv paper in the four centres ot the dominion.’’ Palmerston North L.R.C. will move—- “ That the Labour Conference reopen the question of establishing a Labour daily in one ot the principal centres.” Dunedin West branch will move—“That' conference approves of the establishment of a free press, maintained by the community, democratically controlled, printing all relevant facta bearing on current events.” OTHER SUBJECTS. In regard to State ownership, the Wellington Amalgamated code tv of Carpenters and Joiners will move—‘That a new sub-section be added to section 3 of the platform to read; ‘Nationalisation_ of the liquor traffic without compensation for license or goodwill.’ ”

The Dunedin West branch wifi move—‘That the party make provision in section 7 of its platform for legislation admitting domestic servants to the full benefits of the industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act similar to that now in force in Queensland” The Natonal Peace Council of New Zealand will move—“ That section 9 of the platform be amended' by adding the following new sub-section (3): ‘Repudiation on behalf of New Zealand of all claims to German reparations and immediate efforts be made by the Government of this country to bring about a thorough revision of the Treaty of Versailles on the lines of political and economic equality.’” The Wellington Trades and Labour Council will move—“ That the slogan ‘One’s day’s pay, one week s rent,” be inserted in the party’s platform.” ! Gore brunch will move—“ That conference supports the just claim of the railwaymen for increased wages due to increased cost of living, and urges Labour M.P.’s to tight for same when Parliament meets.” Dunedin Women’s branch will move—- “ That private orphanages and industrial school children should receive a regular account of all money earned by them, and that they receive current rates of wages and choice of employment.” Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand .will move—“ That the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act be amended to permit of the formation and registration under the Act of one Industrial Union of Seamen for the dominion." Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand wijl move—“ That section 107 (31 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act be amended so that it shall not be necessary to post to each member of the industrial union a notice of a special meeting to refer a dispute to a Council of Conciliation.”

Gore branch will move—“ That conference urge upon tho Parliamentary Labour Parly to bring in a Bill to amend the pensions system by abolising the present Soldiers’ Pensions Appeal Board and substituting a board composed of independent doctors who are not full-time Government servants." (Note with remit: The nresent Appeal Board sometimes gives decision against deserving cases of partially disabled soldiers.) Auckland Central branch will move—- “ That the Labour Party throughout New Zealand celebrate Labour Day on May 1.” Canterbury L.R.C. will move—“ That official Labour representatives resident in England, India, and Japan be appointed to take charge of all Labour matters affecting Now Zealand, and eventually to create an international agency.” Stratford branch will move—“ That conference considers that the practice of loans for municipal works should be discontinued, and that the cost of all new work be met from special rates for specific purposes. Polls for authorisation purposes to be continued as at present.” Wellington North branch will move—- “ That the 'Rating Act, 1908, be amended so as to provide tnat all rates shall be levied on the unimproved land' value." Canterbury L.R.C. will move—“ That a select committee bo set up from conference to go into tho question of wireless. propaganda.”