LABOUR CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27385, 10 May 1950, Page 8

LABOUR CONFERENCE

Next Year's Meeting CANTERBURY’S INVITATION ACCEPTED PA AUCKLAND, May 9. The annual conference of the Labour Party will be held next year in Christchurch, in view of Canterbury’s centennial celebrations. According to the official spokesman, this was decided at today’s conference by a two-to-one majority after Mr J. L. Laby, secretary of the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee, had issued an invitation on behalf of Christchurch. Consideration was given to a remit that all parties and election candidates should be given equal radio facilities. It was decided to adopt the Remits Committee’s amended wording—“ That provision be made for regular broadcasts on behalf of recognised political parties.” The conference did not favour greater use being made of radio at election time. The proposal that all editorials should be signed by the writer was rejected. A remit seeking the introduction of corporal punishment for “ certain offences” was rejected. It was decided that civil rights should be restored to those who were deprived of them during the war as a result of the legislation dealing with compulsory military service. A decision that the interest rate for home building should be 3 per cent, was made. It was decided that unmarried or widowed age beneficiaries should receive consideration for State houses. A decision to press for social security age benefits for spinsters at the age of 55 and the voluntary medical examinations of all persons annually or biennially was made. Other remits approved were that sale of fermented and spirituous liquors be brought under the Weights and Measures Act; that kindergartens be more liberally subsidised by the State; that all text books and stationery be provided free to scholars of primary and post-primary schools; that closer control be exercised over the importation of comics; that an educational unit be set up within the party to teach the principles of co-operation and brotherhood and to conduct annual summer camps; that senior school pupils be instructed in the correct procedure on voting for general and local body elections; that-the licensing committee elections be held in conjunction with the local body elections; and that dual voting in local body elections be abolished, with residence the only qualification.