FEDERATION OF LABOUR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 24, 27 January 1913, Page 3

FEDERATION OF LABOUR.

THE POLITICAL PLATFORM. (Per JJress Association.) Wellington, January 26. Mr. Webb presented the report of the committee on unity as follows: “That this conference recommend the following outline as indicating the lines along which a constitution should bo drawn up:— “Industrial Name.—United Federation of Labour. “Composition. The organisation shall be composed of actual 'wageworkers, brought together in an organisation embodying industrial departments, each department to coyer some industry, such as mining, transportation, building, etc. “Objects.—To secure the employment of our members in preference to non-unionists; to maintain a spirit of fraternal sympathy with the workers of this and other countries; (2) to use our united efforts to discourage contract labour and the bonus systems, and, as soon as- possible, '■ to abolish' > them; (3) to enable the Federation tc own and publish a newspaper or papers ; (4) to ensure to members, proved to have been unjustly treated, the support of the Federation; (5) to link up with the industrial organisations of *ll other countries for the achievement of international solidarity, and for effective working-class action in time of international conflict; (6) the United Federation will always act with the end in view of securing to workers the full product of their labour.

“Management.—The national executive shall consist of general officers and of representatives from each industrial department, officers to be elected by ballot of the whole organisation, and other executive members to be elected by a referendum of the respective industrial departments.

“Arbitration.—The United Federation of Labour leaves the matter of registration or not registering or of cancelling registration under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, entirety with each union ; but in any case it will oppose registration of any new union to succeed any union which may have cancelled registration, and will seek legislation to that effect. “Strikes.—Each union shall have power of internal government, hut no union shall involve another in any strike, without first placing the matter unreservedly in the, hands of its department for decision, and no department shall involve the national organisation in any strike without first placing the matter unreservedly in ( the hands of the national executive for | decision. In the event of the national executive deciding in favour of a strike, it shall give the whole power of the United Federation of Labour in support. “Existing Parties. —That the respective executives of the New Zealand Federation of Labour and the United Labour Party be united, while not in any way abating their own activities, to utilise the existing machinery and organisers to push forward the work of organisation pn the lines agreed upon at this conference. POLITICAL. “Name. —Social Democratic Party. “Objective.—The socialisation of the collectively used means of production, distribution, and exchange. “Composition.—The party shall consist of unions, local branches, and individual members, prepared to endorse the foregoing, and pledge their support. “Principles.—That a sub-committea be instructed to draft a declaration of principles. “Platform.—A sub-committee shall prepare a platform which shall include the usual legislative proposals of organised labour in this country, including consideration of wages and hours, together with such matters as land, industrial, and commercial monopolies, the initiative and referendum, the recall, and proportional representation. “Existing Parties.—That the respective executives of the Federation of Labour and United Labour Party and the Socialist Party be invited to Co-

operate fully in organisation on linos agreed upon at this conference. “This party shall be distinct from, and independent of any other party.” The report was adopted after a short discussion.

At the conclusion of the conference the chairman, the Hon. J. Bigg, was complimented upon his conduct of the proceedings, and was presented with a framed photograph cf the delegates.