POLITICAL LABOUR REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3270, 15 November 1916, Page 7

POLITICAL LABOUR REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE.

A meeting of delegates of trades unions was held in the Trades Hall on Thursday nigh I. It was resolved that a Political Labour Representation Committee be established under the title of the Otago Political Labour Representation Committee. The following office-bearers were elected: President. Hon. J. T. Paul; vice-president, Mr E. Kelkt.t; secretary, Mr L. F. Evans; treasurer, Mr A. Walker, M.P • executive—Messrs Stables, Kendall, J. Smith, M. Silverstono, and Saunders. It was decided to affiliate with the New Zealand Labour Party, and to subscribe to its platform until next June, when the different bodies represented will have an opportunity, if they so desire, of amending the platform. The executive will meet shortly to form a local platform for the prosecution of municipal affairs, such platform to bo submitted to the delegates at a future meetin a'. Mr Kelleit, who was elected a vice-pre-sident, has since forwarded the following letter to the secretary: —"On mature consideration it has been borne in on me that I should not last evening have accepted the position of vice-president of the committee. My endeavouis in the cause of Labour cannot. I am sure, be questioned; but without going into particulars I might say that although I have sent two volunteer sons to the war. I am stronglv in favour of conscription in the present Empire rrisis ; Moreover. T realise that my judicial position in the Military Service Board must preclude me accepting such an office."